The Unicorn Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company have announced full casting for their upcoming World Premiere of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a new retelling of Shakespeare’s comedy created for audiences aged seven and above.
Opening at the Unicorn Theatre from 21 March to 10 May 2026 before transferring to the RSC from 19 June to 30 August, the production marks the first major collaboration between the UK’s leading theatre for young people and the RSC.
The story follows young lovers Demetrius, Lysander, Helena and Hermia as they escape Athens for an enchanted forest, where they encounter Puck and a group of amateur actors, sparking a night of magic, confusion and transformation.
Co-directed by Unicorn Artistic Director Rachel Bagshaw and Unicorn Associate Director Robin Belfield, the production has been developed in consultation with the Unicorn’s Creative Associates, a group of 8 to 13-year-olds whose perspectives have helped shape the show.
The cast includes Boni Adeliyi, Kaireece Denton, Amelia Donkor, Joséphine-Fransilja Brookman, Shahin Rezvani, Emmy Stonelake, Scout Worsley, Chris Jared and Talitha Christina.
Themes of emotional development, imagination and change sit at the heart of the production, which uses the magical forest to explore how young people understand their own potential for growth.
The creative team includes Designer Lily Arnold, Lighting Designer Sally Ferguson, Composer and Sound Designer Holly Khan, Movement Director Laura Cubitt, Video and Captions Designer Will Monks, Fight Director Bethan Clark, Voice Coach Joel Trill and Assistant Director Amber Sinclair-Case.
Every performance will feature creative captioning fully integrated into the design, with selected performances offering integrated BSL. Sustainability also plays a major role, with at least 65 percent of materials recycled in line with the Theatre Green Book Intermediate Standard.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is supported by Molecule Theatre, with special thanks to Charles Holloway OBE.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
