West End's Chloe Taylor Adds Touch of Magic to A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Epstein Theatre

The Epstein Theatre has announced the full casting for its first ever Shakespeare production.

The most magical of comedies, this immersive production of A Midsummer Night's Dream is brought to the stage by Daniel Taylor Productions Ltd from Tuesday 25th to Saturday 29th April.

Straight from playing the lead role of Glinda in Wicked, local star Chloe Taylor leads a fantastic cast as the young lover Helena. As well as playing Glinda in Wicked at London's Apollo Victoria, Chloe starred as Sister Sophia in The Sound of Music. Born in Liverpool, Chloe trained at Arts Educational School London and has since performed in numerous hit musicals, including Blood Brothers, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. From playing the good fairy on London's West End to fraternizing with the fairies in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Chloe's performances are always magical!

An array of the city's finest talents come together to tell this most remarkable of tales and producer Daniel Taylor plays the part of the unfortunate Bottom. Daniel was born in Liverpool and in 2016 he toured the UK, Ireland, Canada and the US in the title role of Lennon: Through a Glass Onion. He is also well known for playing Sammy in the West End production of Blood Brothers and Mickey in Alan Bleasdale's 40th anniversary production of Down the Dock Road (Royal Court, Liverpool). He produces and plays the title role in The Tommy Cooper Show.

Sharon Byatt joins the cast as Queen of Fairies, Titania. Sharon was also born in Liverpool and is the only actress to play all three female leads - Linda, Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons in the West End production of Willy Russell's Blood Brothers. Sharon holds a Masters degree in Text and Performance from RADA. Other West End credits include Grand Hotel (Directed by Broadway legend Tommy Tune) and Aspects of Love.

The local connection continues with James Templeton playing the part of the mischievous Puck. James has played Mickey both on London's West End and for the UK tour of Blood Brothers. Liverpool born, his stage credits also include Taboo and Jesus Christ Superstar. He has worked with local Scouse Productions for Madonna and Me and recently performed in The Tommy Cooper Show. He trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London.

Titania's husband and King of the Fairies, Oberon, will be played by John Schumacher. Winner of Northwest Comedian of the Year 2012, John is a Liverpool born (again!) radio presenter and a graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Theatre credits include Quadrophenia and Royal Shakespeare Company's Comedy of Errors.

Simon Willmont is currently starring in The Sorrows of Satan and he will be playing Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream. His stage credits also include Eddie in Blood Brothers, Mamma Mia!, Blood Brothers, The Hired Man, Shady Business, Beauty and the Beast, Jack & the Beanstalk and Girls Night Out. He trained at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.

Competing the cast is the show's second LIPA graduate, Sophie Coward, who will be playing Hermia. Sophie's stage credits include The Nutcracker, Whispers of Heaton, Things of Darkness and The Adventures of Woundman and Shirley.

This production of A Midsummer Night's Dream is designed to ensure the story is as clear as possible, so it's a great introduction to Shakespeare. It will appeal to all ages and will be of particular interest to GCSE students as the play is currently included in the National Curriculum.

There is also a series of workshops and Q&As with cast members planned for young people to attend at The Epstein Theatre but book fast as places are limited. The cast will also be available to perform workshops at local schools after the show has finished.

The play is being directed by acclaimed Liverpool actor Daniel Taylor, star of Lennon Through A Glass Onion, Blood Brothers and The Tommy Cooper Show, who also has his own Liverpool-based theatre company Daniel Taylor Productions LTD.

Daniel revealed: "The strength of our production will be in the storytelling brought to life by an incredible cast. The audience will also be encouraged to get involved in this immersive production and will play an important role in the storytelling!

"This play will appeal to all ages and is full of magic, merriment and mischief which makes this play so special."

Theatre manager, Rebekah Pichilingi, added: "The Epstein Theatre is very excited to present its first ever Shakespeare play and what better production than the timeless classic A Midsummer Night's Dream? Daniel Taylor is a fantastic actor who wowed the crowds with his performance as John Lennon here last year so I'm sure Danny and his all-Scouse cast (well 90%) will do Shakespeare proud with his version of this hilarious love story!"

Performance Details:

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Dates: Tues, 25 - Sat, 29 April

Times: 11am, 1.30pm and 7.30pm

Tickets: From £13 - £20

*All Prices Include A £1 Per Ticket Venue Restoration Levy.

MND School Workshops and Q&As with cast members at The Epstein Theatre and at your school or college - **See Below

Wed 26 April 2017: 10.30am-12pm (30 places available)

Thu 27 April 2017: 10.30am-12pm (30 places available)

* Performance and Workshop Price: £20

**Following the production run, the cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream will also be available to provide workshops at schools should the advertised sessions fill. This would be covered by the £20 workshop/ticket price advertised. These can be booked through The Epstein Theatre.

The Epstein Theatre is located at Hanover House, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool L1 3DZ

To book tickets, call 0844 888 4411* or go online at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk * or in person at The Epstein Theatre Box Office from 2pm - 6pm Monday - Thursday and 12pm-6pm Friday - Saturday. *Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy

For more details check out www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk and join our mailing list. Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/EpsteinTheatre and Twitter @EpsteinTheatre.

The Epstein Theatre (formerly known as The Neptune) was originally opened as Crane's Music Hall in 1911, and was a popular location for recitals and performances. It was renamed Crane Theatre in 1938. In 1967 the theatre was purchased from the Cranes by Liverpool Corporation, who decided that the theatre should be run by local people for local people and was named The Neptune Theatre. The Neptune also became a Comedy Club and after many years of uncertainty about the future of the theatre, it eventually closed in 2005. In July 2011, a £1million refurbishment of the theatre was completed which saw the Hanover Street venue brought up to 21st century standards and renamed 'The Epstein Theatre' in honour of former Beatles manager Brian Epstein, who guided the Fab Four from popular cellar act to global superstardom. The management contract was up for tender and was won by the well-established team behind Liverpool's annual Sound City Music Festival. The Theatre was officially opened on Wed 9th May 2012. Now an independent company Epstein Theatre Ltd, the venue has grown to become of the key venues for arts and live entertainment in the city with a strong programme of comedy, plays, live music and children's productions. The venue can also be hired out for private functions, weddings and conferences.

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