Following David Williamson’s Influence which recently completed its successful season, the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild is pleased to announce details of its next production, Shakespeare’s best loved comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream which will open in the Little Theatre on Saturday August 7 at 7.30pm.

Lysander loves Hermia. Hermia loves Lysander. Helena loves Demetrius. Demetrius used to love Helena... but now loves Hermia.

So begins Shakespeare's classic comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream. The romantic intrigues of these young lovers are confused and complicated as they flee into the forest inhabited by Oberon, King of the Fairies, Titania his Queen, and their mischievous servant, Puck. Add into the mix a group of bumbling mechanicals rehearsing a play and you have a hilarious tale of love, jealousy, magic and dreams.

Brought to the stage by Cassandra Backler and the University of Adelaide's Theatre Guild and programmed specifically to showcase the artistic talents of students, A Midsummer Night's Dream promises to be an evening of magic and mayhem. The Guild is delighted to announce a cast comprising 17 University of Adelaide students and 2 Flinders University students with an awesome production team made up of students and graduates of AC Arts.

Director and well known Adelaide Designer Cassandra Backler has designed sets, costumes and lighting for a range of companies over the past fourteen years and this production marks her directing debut with the Guild.

“I'm delighted to be working with such an energetic and vibrant group of young people to bring this classic comedy to the stage," Ms Backler, a current Theatre Guild Board of Management Member.

"Like many people it is the first Shakespeare play I was introduced to at school and it will hold a special place in my heart forever. We may open in midwinter, but this production is raising everyone's temperature; one of our cast has already described his rehearsals as 'sexy and raunchy' and we're only just warming up!”

A Midsummer Night's Dream will provide a magical evening of adventure and amusement full of love, jealousy, and of course dreams!

Get swept up in the magic of Shakespeare from August 7-21 at the University of Adelaide's Little Theatre (The Cloisters, off of Victoria Drive). Tickets are available from the Theatre Guild on (08) 8303 5999 (phone credit card bookings – fee applies); online: www.adelaide.edu.au/theatreguild; or from BASS 131 246 (Fee applies). Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

For more information, visit www.adelaide.edu.au/theatreguild.