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In Athens, the Duke Theseus is preparing to marry the Lady Hippolyta in four days time. The court’s joy is disrupted by an irate father, Egeus, who has promised his daughter, Hermia, to Demetrius. Unfortunately, Hermia has fallen in love with Lysander who in turn loves her. Helena (Hermia’s closest friend) is in love with Demetrius, but Demetrius scorns her in his desire to marry Hermia. Theseus gives Hermia three choices – marry Demetrius, become a nun or death. Lysander and Hermia escape to the forest outside Athens. Co-incidentally, a group of workmen are also in the forest practising a play to perform at the Duke’s wedding.
Helena tells Demetrius of the lovers’ flight, and Demetrius sets after them. When Helena follows, the four lovers find themselves deep in the forest - a forest where fairies live.
But all is not well. Oberon, the King of the Fairies, and his queen Titania, are embroiled in a quarrel over a human boy. Oberon tries to quell Titania’s anger by placing a love spell on her as she sleeps. Enter the mischievous and irresponsible fairy Puck, who causes the spell to affect the wrong lovers.
The moral? Don’t mess with love. But what of our lovers? Will the spell be reversed? Will Theseus marry Hippolyta on time? Will Hermia spend her days in a nunnery? Will the workmen get to perform their play? All must be resolved by the time dawn arrives to signal the end of Midsummer Night.
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