A Dream Within A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Music by George Frideric Handel, Eartha Kitt, Yma Sumac, Barbra Streisand, Jeff Buckley, Antony and the Johnsons

Choreographed by Arthur Pita

Stage and Costume Design by Jean-Marc Puissant

Lighting by David Platen

Costume Supervisor: Sarah Ferdinando

Costume Maker: Sarah Ferdinando

Tutu Maker: Yoshi Terashima

Images © courtesy of Ballet Black

Based on Shakespeare’s classic tale, turned on its head and transposed to the world of dance, the piece begins as an homage to Balanchine’s Symphony in C, with ballet costumes paying tribute to Barbara Karinska’s iconic puff tutu design.

 

A modern-day Puck casts a spell on the group of ballet dancers, transporting them deep into their wild, very human urges and fantasies.

 

We follow the protagonists through a series of un-balletic numbers, tableaux and scenes until Salvador Dali himself steps into their dream, adding another layer and a surreal climax to the story.

 

Performed to an eclectic soundtrack from various genres and periods, clothes and props borrow references from 20^th century TV, pop and fashion culture.