Oddsocks Productions tackle Shakespeare's most popular of comedies: "A Midsummer Night's Dream”

Oddsocks Productions tackle Shakespeare's most popular of comedies: "A Midsummer Night's Dream”

Following the amazing response to their last live-edited Stay Home Shakespeare which gained over 3000

viewers when it aired online last month, family run touring theatre company, Oddsocks Productions are back with another hilarious home staging of Shakespeare.  This time they have chosen to tackle Shakespeare's most popular of comedies: "A Midsummer Night's Dream”. 

The Oddsocks family who appeared in Macbeth; Dad Andy, Mum Elli and 19 year old daughter Charlie are now joined by their son Felix for this latest live-edited performance streamed from their home.  They are still firmly in lockdown as they have to shield for health reasons and as a result, their company’s planned tour of The Comedy of Errors which was due to be performed by a cast of six at               Markeaton Park Craft Village for Derby Live’s season of events, as part of a national tour this summer, has been postponed to 2021.  

Whilst many theatre companies have been streaming their past productions online or performing live on Zoom, the approach Oddsocks have taken is unique as the 45 minute production is performed from their home in Derbyshire, in real time.  The performance is live-edited (remotely) by Director of Photography Kee Ramsorrun who is based in Margate and the show is hosted by The Streaming Theatre from Los Angeles.  Also, shielding means that the family have had to muster together camera equipment, props and costumes from what they have at home which amounts to 3 mobile phones, 4 laptops and a range of household items. So expect table cloths for cloaks, draped bedding for the wood and spatulas for swords.

“We decided to make the most of our time in lockdown.” says Dad/Artistic Director Andy Barrow, who plays Bottom and Oberon as well as both male suitors Lysander and Demetrius in the show. “Touring is impossible, venues are closed, all our paid work has stopped for the foreseeable future.  We are a family of actors and we enjoy working together, so we are giving it a go”.  Mum/Creative Producer Elli Mackenzie is looking forward to playing the roles of Titania, Peter Quince, Helena and Hermia in the 45 minute adaptation.  “We are used to playing multiple roles in our touring productions, but this may well be the first time two actors have played all four lovers in one production and it is a technical mind bend.  Really tricky but hilarious to attempt.  It is a real step up from the demands of doing Macbeth in lockdown due to the nature of the play but I think we have found some inventive ways to meet the challenges”.

Another new feature has been the addition of a guest appearance from Oddsocks fan Gregory Robinson who won a competition on social media to take part (remotely of course) by playing “Wall” in the famous play within the play which happens at the end of the piece. 

Tune in as the family of four plus special guest attempt to tell the story live on 

Friday 19th June at 7pm by going to:

https://www.twitch.tv/thestreamingtheatre

The performance is free but if you are able to make a donation of any amount to support the company and associated artists whose theatre work has been decimated by the current crisis please go to:

SupportOddsocks

If you missed their first Stay Home Shakespeare "Macbeth" as it went out live, you can catch up with it and watch a documentary about the making of it at:  

http://www.oddsocks.co.uk/stay-home-shakespeare

Back to news