Shakespeare play opens tonight in Esker Arts outdoor space

Tullamore Amateur Dramatic Society will create a little bit of history this week by becoming the first artistic group to perform in the magnificent outdoor space at the newly-opened Esker Arts Centre.

The talented members of TADS will open their four night run of Shakespeare’s iconic comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, tonight (Tuesday, June 27) at 7.30pm in Esker Arts Centre, and performances will continue each night until Friday.

While the group are hoping for fine weather this week, patrons are advised to bring cushions and suitable clothing in case it gets chilly. In the event of extremely inclement weather, the performance may be moved inside.

The local dramatic society will once again take the audience to new places and spaces with their production of Shakespeare’s comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

In this highly amusing tale, TADS will venture into the new territory of Shakespeare’s forests, follies and fairy folk in the wonderful outdoor performance space of the new Esker Arts Centre. Designed in the style of the ancient Greek amphitheatres, with concrete steps as seating, TADS is delighted to be the first to perform in this space. .

Director of the production, Fionnula Corrigan, said the outdoor space at Esker Arts “seemed to invite something new and adventurous from us and Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream seemed the obvious choice.” With most of the action taking place in the woods, where fairy folk play havoc with the love lives of mortals, Shakespeare’s most famous of comedies asks the audience to ponder the madness, magic and oft times dreamlike nature of love!

With a cast of over twenty, this production sees TADS stalwarts such as Susan McDonnell, Damien Mitchell, Frank O’Brien and Daniel Murray tread the boards, but also introduces a host of new members, some taking to the stage for the first time.

The group looks forward to their audiences joining them and hope to be able to complete all their performances outdoors as they bring Shakespeare’s words to life in this sometimes dreamy, sometimes madcap, mischievous comedy.

Tickets are priced at €10 and are now available at eskerarts.ie or can be booked directly at the Arts Centre.

Performances take place nightly at 7.30pm from Tuesday, June 27 to Friday, June 30.