Headlong has released new production images for its UK tour of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a striking new staging that reimagines Shakespeare’s comedy through a darker, wintery lens.
The production, created with Shakespeare’s Globe and co-presented with Bristol Old Vic and Leeds Playhouse, is currently playing at Leeds Playhouse until 28 February before touring to Bristol and Oxford.
Oxford Playhouse, a Headlong Associate Partner venue, hosts the show from Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 March 2026, with tickets from £15.
What’s different about this Dream?
Directed by Headlong Artistic Director Holly Race Roughan, and co-directed by Naeem Hayat, the production continues Headlong’s approach of staging classic plays “as if they are new plays”, inviting audiences to see familiar stories afresh.
This version places the action “in the depths of winter”, with a forest world shaped by candlelight, shadow and unease. The central premise remains: four young lovers flee a society ruled by harsh law, only to find the woods destabilised by conflict between the Fairy King and Queen, Oberon and Titania, over a stolen child. As their quarrel intensifies, jealousy, manipulation and Puck’s spells push the night towards something more troubling.
Oxford dates and times
Venue: Oxford Playhouse
Run: Tue 24 – Sat 28 March 2026
Tickets: From £15
Performances:
- Tue 24 Mar – 7.30pm (performance available to schools)
- Wed 25 Mar – 7.30pm (post-show talk; performance available to schools)
- Thu 26 Mar – 2.30pm (performance available to schools)
- Thu 26 Mar – 7.30pm (BSL performance; performance available to schools)
- Fri 27 Mar – 7.30pm (14–25s tickets £5)
- Sat 28 Mar – 2.30pm (Audio described; touch tour)
- Sat 28 Mar – 7.30pm
Age guidance: 12+
Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Interval: Yes
Content warning: Contains loud noises, strong language, scenes of sexual content, drug use and gunshots.
Cast highlights
The cast includes:
- Hedydd Dylan as Hippolyta/Titania
- Michael Marcus as Theseus/Oberon
- Sergo Vares as Puck
- Danny Kirrane as Bottom
- Tara Tijani as Helena/Peaseblossom
- David Olaniregun as Lysander/Moth
- Tiwa Lade as Hermia/Mustardseed
- Pria Kalsi as Flute/Child
- Jack Humphrey as Quince/Egeus
- Lou Jackson as Demetrius/Cobweb
- Dannie Harris (ensemble/cover)
Creative team
Design is by Max Johns, with candlelight and lighting by Joshie Harriette and sound by Nicola T Chang. Movement direction comes from Malik Nashad Sharpe, with fight and intimacy direction by Haruka Kuroda. Casting is by Becky Paris CDG, Head of Casting at Shakespeare’s Globe.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream UK tour dates
- Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe – 15 Nov to 31 Jan
- Shakespeare North – 4 to 7 Feb
- Leeds Playhouse – 14 to 28 Feb
- Bristol Old Vic – 4 to 21 Mar
- Oxford Playhouse – 24 to 28 Mar
Sustainability
Headlong says the production is created to meet Intermediate Theatre Green Book standards, part of an industry initiative aimed at reducing environmental impact from rehearsal to performance.
