RSC Friends

An absorbing and informative Q&A session at Holy Trinity Church Hall. Nicky spoke with great energy and enthusiasm about the critically acclaimed Open Stage production of A Midsummer’s Night Dream. We gained an insight into how this play, more than most, lends itself to a division of its acts between different companies of actors enabling the director to combine the talents of RSC professional actors with that of ‘rude mechanicals’ played by ten amateur companies working in rotation.

Nicky detailed the incredible logistical challenge involved in bringing this amazingly inclusive production to the stage. The challenge of managing 580 children and arranging workshops for 19 Bottoms not to mention the necessary negotiations with Equity were only the tip of the iceberg. Nicky was full of praise for Erica Whyman’s skill as the director and her ingenious use of digital technology to hold all of this together and bring it to the stage.

I can say, with some confidence, that this was a Q&A that really increased one’s admiration and understanding of what is involved in an Open Stage production.