A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Act I, scene i (11:35)

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Theseus and Hippolyta look forward to their imminent wedding. Hermia plans to run away with Lysander rather than marry Demetrius. Helena plots to win Demetrius's heart as he journeys to win back Hermia. This production presents William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in its original pronunciation.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Act I, scene ii (05:04)

Elsewhere in Athens, Peter Quince, Nick Bottom, and a company of craftsmen rehearse the play they plan to perform at Theseus and Hippolyta's wedding. Nick Bottom constantly interrupts, wishing for a different role.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Act II, scene i (13:36)

In the forest, fairies Titania and Oberon accuse each other of loving Theseus and Hippolyta, respectively. Oberon orders his servant, Puck, to help cast a spell on Titania to make her fall in love with the first thing she sees upon waking.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Act II, scene ii (09:49)

Oberon anoints the sleeping Titania with a love potion. Puck mistakenly uses the same potion on Lysander, who awakens to see Helena before him. He falls in love instantly and leaves Hermia behind.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Act III, scene i (13:10)

While the craftsmen rehearse their play, Puck turns Bottom's head into that of a donkey. Titania awakens to see Bottom before her, falls madly in love, and introduces him to the fairies.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Act III, scene ii (23:34)

Using the love potion, Oberon causes Demetrius to fall for Helena. Hermia is devastated to find that Lysander also loves Helena. When the four quarreling lovers fall asleep, Puck again anoints Lysander with the love potion to cure the conflict.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Act IV, scene i (14:39)

Oberon undoes Titania's love spell, and Puck turns Bottom back into a human. The four lovers awaken, confused about their night. Lysander and Hermia pair off, as do Demetrius and Helena. Bottom decides to turn his "dream" into a wedding ballad.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Act IV, scene ii (02:52)

Bottom returns to his company of craftsmen and delivers them the new details of the play they'll perform at Theseus's palace.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Act V, scene i (26:43)

Theseus and Hippolyta wonder about the strange story told to them by the four lovers. Peter Quince, Bottom, and the craftsmen perform their play for the newlyweds. Oberon and Titania bless the Athenians.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Epilogue (00:53)

Puck asks the audience, if they are offended, to remember the play as but a dream.

Credits: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (in Original Pronunciation) (03:20)

Credits: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (in Original Pronunciation)

Bonus Feature: Original Pronunciation (00:60)

"Original Pronunciation" is a term coined by linguist David Crystal to describe the English pronunciation true to the era in which Shakespeare was writing.

Bonus Feature: "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" in O.P. (04:21)

Theatre Professor Paul Meier retraces the origins of his efforts to produce "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" in Original Pronunciation.

Bonus Feature: Decision to Use O.P. (03:01)

Theatre Professor Paul Meier explains how "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" was chosen to showcase Original Pronunciation. He notes that this pronunciation is close to that of the first English settlers in America.

Bonus Feature: Learning O.P. (03:13)

Theatre Professor Paul Meier explains how actors at the University of Kansas worked with a dialect expert to produce "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in Original Pronunciation.