A drum 'n' bass adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream is coming to Manchester

A new adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is headed to Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre this Autumn, with a rave-focused twist.

Directed by award-winning Stef O’Driscoll, the production will celebrate Manchester’s long-standing connection with dance music by re-framing the story in a drum ‘n’ bass context.

Manchester-based rising star SALO, who recently performed on the Main stage at Parklife 2024, will be bringing her laid-back, soulful drum ‘n’ bass productions to the stage — whilst also takin on the role of the Moon, the goddess of music who overlooks the play's chaotic action.

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Meanwhile, O'Driscoll has set her version of the story in contemporary Manchester as opposed to Athens, with a Palace nightclub as the backdrop to the story and the four young Athenians reimagined as seasoned ravers, their quarrels settled through energetic dance battles.

The director’s somewhat unexpected choice to merge Shakespeare with drum ‘n’ bass comes from her deep connection to Manchester’s electronic music scene; having grown up going to raves (including some her father used to throw), much of O'Driscoll's own life experiences have taken place on the dancefloor.

“I’ve had some of the best nights out here in Manchester, with the music of talented local artists serving as the soundtrack through messy heartaches, painful unrequited love to that new fizzy kind of love," she says.

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Shakespeare’s ability to write about these very timeless human experiences, from love to loss to jealousy and betrayal, drew the director to ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ as a way of celebrating the way that dance music has accompanied her and many others through these pivotal moments and emotions.

“Blending the worlds of Shakespeare and Manchester’s current rave scene, I wanted to celebrate that music in this production and highlight Manchester’s many gifted artists, rappers, and MCs alongside Shakespeare,” adds O'Driscoll.

Catch the play at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre between September 6 and October 12. Tickets are on sale now from £10. You can book yours here.

Meena Sears is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Instagram