A Midsummer Night's Dream

Students, seniors and members of the Jamaica community gathered at the Milton G. Bassin Performing Arts Center at York College for a theater production of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Photo By: Shanice Lewis

   On Tuesday May 6th, shortly after noon York College's theatre department put on whimsical play about the fight for true love. The play depicts Theseus, the Duke of Athens who is preparing for marriage but, is sought by Egeus who needs the Duke's help. Egeus is trying to convince his daughter, Hermia, to take Demetrius as her husband but, she is already in love with Lysander. Lysander and Demetrius are both in  love with Hermia but, Demetrius once loved Helena, who is still in love with him. The Duke tells Hermia that she must obey her father's wishes or be put to death. She and Lysander decide to run away from Athens and elope but, Demetuis is informed of this and decides to follow them into the woods.
  In the woods filled with mystery, magic and fairies Oberon, King of the fairies and his wife Queen Titania have a disagreement and, Oberon sends his servant to find a herb that will make people fall in love with the first creature they see. While in the woods King Oberon overhears Helena pleading for Demetrius' love and, instructs his servant to sprinkle the herb in Demetrius' eyes so that he may love Helena back. However, the servant accidentally sprinkles the herb in Lysander's eyes and Lysander awakens to Helena with whom he immediately falls in love with.

In the end the servant realizes his mistake and is forced to correct it by the King. Each person is now with their intended love as they all marry off and live happily in love.

  The play directed by York College assistant professor of Performing & Fine Arts, Tom Marion, featured several York students as well as members of The Gloria Eve Dance Company in Hempstead. It was my first time attending a York play and I really enjoyed it. There was great music, dance and comedy that the rest of the audience enjoyed as well.

Clifford Shouter ,who attends Theodora Jackson Adult Center in Jamaica said, they told him about the production going on at the school. He said it was his first time attending and he didn't know what kind of show it was but, he "wanted to experience it." 

"It was very nice, I really enjoyed it and yes, I will come back" said Shouter.

The cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream receive a standing ovation. Photo By: Shanice Lewis