A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Rehearsals
Dress Rehearsal Night: Backstage
Dress Rehearsal Night: Performance
Theatre: A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
For several years now, I’ve been commissioned to photograph various plays by Leeds Arts Centre. I’ve wanted to document a production all the way through, from concept to completion, covering as much as possible, the work that goes on behind the scenes to produce a 90 minute performance.
Between April & July 2024, I documented the LAC production of William Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, Directed by Ben Hopwood. This collection of images represents four months of hard work by the cast and crew. Many of them amateurs and committing their time after work. The photographs cover the stages of production, from reading through the script with a room full of hopefuls, to the final full dress rehearsal on the day before opening night. With the cast being so large, Ben, the Director, often broke the rehearsals down into smaller groups, with workshops to determine who would be best in which role. Behind the cast, were a skilled crew of set designers, wardrobe, sound & light engineers etc. Again, many of them giving up their free time for the production.
I am in awe of the commitment that goes into producing a play of this size & can only say that the results were outstanding.
For my own part, working with a talented group of creative minded and enthusiastic people for four months was a hugely beneficial experience.