‘Not Your Standard Midsummer Night’s Dream’ - Soaring Twosome Gives Shakespeare A Facelift

A “Midsummer Night’s Dream” has received a welcome new take in the form of “Midsummer Dreamers,” a two-handed interpretation by Kirsten Peacock and Nick Nudler. directed by Maura Hanlon and put on at the Cape Rep Theatre in Brewster, this contemporized, humorous, and uniquely physical production is sure to capture even the most novice of Shakespearians.

“Midsummer Dreamers’” distinct fingerprint kicks off with a heated argument between a modernized version of Titania and Oberon, followed by a restless slumber of meshed dreams, their psyches splitting and mirroring the iconic array of characters that “Midsummer Night’s Dream” is known for. It’s an exercise in the confluence and contradiction of unspoken emotions, anxieties, fears and desires, while giving a persona to each.

“We’ve played multiple characters many times, but nothing like this one, especially because the roles change so suddenly, sometimes even between lines,” said Peacock. “You’ll start an argument with your lover, and suddenly you’re playing both lovers, both sides of the argument.”

Equally unique to this production are the continuous physical feats in the form of aerial and acrobatic work, predominantly in the use of silks, making for a particularly energetic and enthralling experience. 

“From the get-go we knew we wanted this to be as physical as possible,” Peacock said. “We were also really lucky in that Janine Perry, the producing artistic director of Cape Rep Theatre, asked us to do the show when we already knew we were going to do a four-month-long circus training. So we were like, this is great, on top of the physicality that we already love, what actual specific skills can we learn in the circus training that can benefit this performance?” 

The performers are young veterans, having already taken on a wide range of productions in both individual and tandem capacities. “Midsummer Dreamers” is their latest creation under the whimsical moniker, “Cosmic Mirth.” 

“Kirsten and I realized we both love creating reinterpretations of classical and folk texts,” said Nudler, “so we fell into this amazing collaboration as soon as we got together. When we took our show ‘Jason And Madea’ to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival we wanted to brand ourselves, codifying the duo with the name ‘Cosmic Mirth.’”

Not everyone is versed in the work of Shakespeare, but with the prevalence of contemporary references in “Midsummer Dreamers,” a tapestry of fresh, relevant nowness is brought to audience members from all walks of life, promising a riveting spectacle devoid of ostracization. 

“Sometimes Shakespeare can sound daunting as a concept because it's a language that we don’t use in today’s world,” said Nudler. “However, the way that we’ve adapted it and cut the script and blown it apart makes it really comprehensible for anybody. And if nothing else, all of the physical sequences will really entertain people. It’s not your standard ‘Midsummer Night's Dream,’ so expect the unexpected.”