Video: RSC's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM in Rehearsal in London

The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream will run at the Barbican from Tuesday 3 December 2024 – Saturday 18 January 2025. Check out footage from inside the rehearsal room in the video here!

"It feels great to be back with the company. It's been nearly a year apart. The first day back felt like we all just eased into being a happy family, with a couple of new members too.," said Mathew Baynton, who plays Bottom.

Andrew Richardson joins the company as Oberon/Theseus following his critically acclaimed breakout performance in the Bridge Theatre’s multi award-winning production of Guys and Dolls. Katherine Pearce, recently seen on screen as Amy Spratt in BBC’s Waterloo Road, returns to the RSC as Puck.

New company members also include; Alexander Bellinfantie (Moth), Eliza Smith (Mustardseed) and Natalie Thomas (Peaseblossom).

They join returning cast members Nicholas Armfield (Demetrius), Mathew Baynton (Bottom), Emily Cundick (Snout), Esme Hough (Cobweb), Ryan Hutton (Lysander), Laurie Jamieson (Snug), Neil McCaul (Egeus), Helen Monks (Rita Quince), Adrian Richards (Philostrate), Boadicea Ricketts (Helena), Sirine Saba (Titania/Hippolyta), Dawn Sievewright (Hermia), Mitesh Soni (Flute) and Premi Tamang (Starveling).

With Mathew Baynton (Ghosts, Wonka) as Bottom, this hilarious production of Shakespeare’s captivating comedy will transport audiences from deepest midwinter to the most magical of midsummer nights.

Mathew is known for co-creating, writing and starring as Thomas Thorne in Ghosts (BBC) and for playing Fickelgruber in the film Wonka. Mathew is also known for his many roles in Horrible Histories and for co-creating, writing and starring in the BBC’s The Wrong Mans.

Directed by Eleanor Rhode, Set and Costume Design is by Lucy Osborne; Illusion Direction and Design by John Bulleid; Lighting Design by Matt Daw; Composed by Will Gregory; Sound Design by Pete Malkin; Movement Direction by Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster; Video Design by Will Duke; Fight and Intimacy Direction by Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown; and Casting by Matthew Dewsbury CDG.