Dmitry Krymov Lab

An opera singer, towering puppets, ballerinas and a performing dog…anything is possible when Russia’s most ingeniously creative director stages Shakespeare.

Dmitry Krymov defies theatrical convention to conceive spectacles of scale, invention and wonder. He follows his summer presentation of Opus No 7 with this glorious retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The action focuses on the 'rude mechanicals', amateur actors attempting to perform the tragedy of Pyramus and Thisbe for an audience of restless dignitaries. Feats of physicality abound as the troupe struggles with its depiction of the ill-fated lovers – played here by figures standing five-metres-tall. Amid the mayhem, though, moments of real and moving grandeur equally captivate.

Age guidance: 12 and over.
Running time: 1 hour 45 mins/no interval
Performed in Russian with English surtitles