National Players Perform 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at Harper

Harper College hosts National Players touring company’s latest rave-style version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the college’s Performing Arts Center. The show begins Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m.

National’s contemporary version maintains original Midsummer plot threads, such as gods canoodling with mortals while a royal couple trifles with magical jokes, or the casting of love spells to transform man into beast. But the tour company’s latest installment packs an electronic punch.

According to a Harper College press release, in National’s production, the woods glow in neon colors while fairies dance to pulsating club music.

“We’ll dazzle the audience with a lot of electricity, technology and club music—like if you went to a rave in downtown Manhattan,” said Kelsey Meiklejohn, National Players’ Manager.

Meikeljohn said the specific time frame of this production is set in the 1990s. This era represents a time when the world of clubs and raves was perhaps more in mode than it might be today.

“The directors and designers wanted to try this style [with featured black lights], Meiklejohn said. “It’s a lot of fun with this production … to hear the audience’s reaction [to the glowing].”

National Players is in its 62nd year, thus making it the oldest national theatre touring company. The traveling ensemble is consists of young professional actors who tour the United States to showcase two plays among its repertoire: Shakespeare’s favorite in question, as well the classic drama, The Scarlet Letter.

Meikeljohn said this year’s National Players cast is smaller than it has been in the past. The company works hard to tour with only eight actors; four actors are triple cast, while the other four are double cast. In addition, the cast wears production role hats, which demonstrates the company's versatility.

“We’re doubling the characters as we think it would’ve been done in Shakespeare’s time,” said Meiklejohn, an actor/dancer/singer who, along with managing the company, plays Puck, the pivotal role of witty, plotting fairy.

Though Puck’s role was intended for and has conventionally been portrayed as a male, Meiklejohn is no stranger to the part. She played Puck while performing at college in Virginia, and said the role was what attracted her to National Players. Like with any actor’s project, Meiklejohn brings her own flavor to Puck.

“I thought we should bring down the mischief level a bit in my portrayal,” Meiklejohn said. “There’s a lot of sincerity in her.”

The cast for A Midsummer Night’s Dream includes Kyle Blair: Bottom/Egeus; Hannah Burkhauser, Hermia/Snug; Jenny Donovan, Helena/Starveling; Chris Egging: Oberon/Theseus; Greg Magee: Lysander/Quince; Kelsey Meiklejohn: Puck/Philostrate; Sam Rabinovitz: Demetrius/Flute and Bethany Rowe: Titania/Hippolyta.

Tickets are $15 with discounted rates for Harper students, faculty, staff and seniors. For tickets or information, call 847.925.6100 or visit Harper Tickets.