Interview #2 with the Cast of "Midsummer Night's Dream"

   We’re continuing our interviews with the cast of First Stage’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream!  Today, let’s hear from Taylor Burnette – she plays the legendary Theseus (in Shakespeare’s day, men played the part of women. In this production, some of the male roles are played by young women. It only seems fair.)

   Theseus is the warrior king of Athens, in love with Hippolyta, the Amazon queen, who he is to be marry.

   Here’s Taylor Burnette:

Q: What is A Midsummer Night’s Dream about?

Taylor:  A Midsummer Night’s Dream is about Hermia and Lysander, lovers who can't marry because Hermia is to be wed to Demetrius. They plan to run off away from Athens to marry, but they tell Helena, who is in love with Demetrius, who tells Demetrius. Demetrius follows the lovers, Helena in fancy following him. They are met by the fairy king who decides to help Helena get her love, but the mischievous henchman of the fairy king, Puck, makes a mistake, causing quite a bit of chaos and comedy. We also see an under-love-spell fairy queen, and some quite rude mechanicals.

Q: Why did you want to be part of this show?

Taylor:  I wanted to be in this show because I enjoy acting, and I enjoy historical literature.

Q: Was it difficult to learn the dialogue?

Taylor:  It was difficult learning the dialogue at first. Many words are quite similar to ones we use today, and it is easy to mix them up. The names are a bit odd to pronounce as well. It took me about seven rehearsals or so to learn how to pronounce "Hippolyta"

Q: What’s your favorite part of the show?

Taylor:  My favorite part of the show is the play within the play that the Rude Mechanicals put on for Theseus' wedding. It is one of the funniest scenes in the play.

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Taylor:  I would recommend this show because it has an amazing and talented cast, it is hilarious, and it is a wonderful comedy, and one of Shakespeare's best works.

 Thanks, Taylor!

 A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be presented at the Cabell County Public Library at 455 9th Street (3rd Floor) on April 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and April 18 and 19 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 each. To reserve tickets call 304-416-KIDS.