BIRMINGHAMTHEBLUECOATSCHOOL1722

Last week, 3 lucky audiences were cordially invited to observe the preparations and goings-on in the lead up to the wedding of Duke Theseus and Hippolyta.

Our 86 exuberant Year 6 pupils lit up the MAC Theatre with a wildly imaginative, song-filled reworking of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Rewritten to make space for talking woodland creatures, a frolic of fairies, an expanded crew of mechanicals, and an entire court of wedding guests and courtiers, the show burst onto the MAC Theatre stage with infectious energy right from the start! This production didn’t just adapt Shakespeare – it made it sing!

The first song ‘What a Lovely Midsummer Day’, set the scene and introduced the Athenian VIPs and explained how Hermia and Lysander planned to escape their tangle of confusion, crossed paths and an overbearing parent. 

‘Meet the Mechanicals’ introduced a hilariously oversized group of amateur thespians, each eager for their moment in the spotlight. Their slapstick comedy and exaggerated performances earned big laughs, especially during their performance of the play Pyramus and Thisbe at the wedding.

The fairy world came alive in ‘Land of the Fairies’ and the audience was immersed in the magical world of the fairy king and queen’s enchanted forest.

Then came ‘Titania’ – a show-stopping, rewritten version of Tom Jones’ Delilah – in which Oberon demanded the loyalty of Melody, the most magical fairy, and repeatedly asked Titania why he was not able to have her! The fairies sang with power and attitude in a performance that brought the house down.

In ‘The Flower’s Spell’, Puck sang beautifully about the force of the magic flower, and hinted at the love potion madness to come.

‘The Man of Her Dreams’ followed, and cleverly captured the chaos of mistaken love, whilst Titania’s entourage looked on in horror at their queen’s new equine love interest!

‘Sweet Helena’, a playful reimagining of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline, highlighted both Lysander and Demetrius’ love for Helena, and they even ended up holding hands during the song, much to their disgust! 

‘Love Rectangle’ summed up the confusion of who-loves-who, and the hilarity of shifting affections, before harmony returned in ‘By the Morning Light’, a gentle, hope-filled song where all was restored to normality.

Then came the sparkling ‘Dancing Team’, a gleeful twist on ABBA’s Dancing Queen, featuring the cast dancing and singing with joy about ‘Theseus and his wife having the time of their lives’, and absolutely owning the stage!

Finally, the spells were broken, friendships were restored, and the play within the play was performed in front of the happy couples, courtiers and guests, delivering laughter, music, and a happy ending for all.

The production closed with ‘What a Lovely Midsummer Night’, a reprise that perfectly mirrored the opening number – only this time with laughter, love, and a hint of midsummer magic lingering in the air. A triumph of teamwork, talent, unforgettable tunes and boundless Year 6 enthusiasm – and just enough enchantment to remind us all why this timeless tale still captivates!