A Royal Wedding Production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

[Michele Monro]

My very good friend Russell Grant is involved in avery special Royal Wedding production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and I had asked him to send me the press release in case any of you are interested in going to see what will be an excellent performance.


PRESS RELEASE! April 19th 2011

HRH PRINCE WILLIAM (and KATE) SEND BEST WISHES TO NORTH WALES AND SHROPSHIRE COMMUNITY THEATRE COMPANY FOR ROYAL WEDDING PRODUCTION OF “A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM”

A North Wales & Shropshire Theatre Company has received a personal ‘best wishes’ message from HRH PRINCE WILLIAM and KATE MIDDLETON.

CASTING IN THE COMMUNITY (NORTH WALES/SHROPSHIRE) are preparing to perform Shakespeare’s enchanting play about a royal wedding: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with a special performance for the evening of the royal wedding on April 29th at the most glamorous location: Portmeirion, Snowdonia, the location for the nuptials of many stars and celebrities.

Director RUSSELL GRANT wrote to the Prince at his work base RAF Valley, Anglesey/Ynys Mon, telling him how people from local communities across North Wales and Shropshire were rehearsing to stage Shakespeare’s most popular play to coincide with the wedding.

“Imagine, how delighted we were to receive a reply from St James’s Palace it read – ‘The Prince was most touched to know that CITCOM are staging a special performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream to commemorate his wedding day. This is a very kind thought.’

Casting in the Community staged Under Milk Wood last year and this is only their second production but it is an epic. Producer ED PENNEY from Dolgellau said “It means transforming the Grade II listed 18th Century Hercules Hall at Portmeirion into a theatre!” “This is not an easy task as we cannot put lights where we want or hang backdrops without creating a specially-made set”.

The unique CITCOM Company reaches across all communities in North Wales and Shropshire to bring together those who love the performing arts. Russell said “Professional actors give their time voluntarily to help performing art students to gain valuable experience. We have many amateur actors who want to ‘up a gear’ and theatre ‘virgins’ who’ve never set foot on stage before – some with learning difficulties or special needs. They all work together on stage, back stage and front of house. It’s wonderful to see everyone come together with one aim: to act. From the top of their profession to those just starting out to others who enjoy it as a hobby and others who want to improve their literary skills”.

The letter from the palace ended ‘Prince William and Miss Middleton send CITCOM their best wishes and hope A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a great success’.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM by William Shakespeare
Portmeirion – April 28th, April 29th and May 2nd to 5th. Matinee on May 2nd.
01766 772337 or delyth@portmeirion-village.com <mailto:delyth@portmeirion-village.com> Tickets £10 concessions or £12.

Charities supported: Wales Air Ambulance – Alzheimer’s Society – Gwynedd Hospice – Hafal – Friends of Ysbyty Alltwen – Whitchurch Shropshire Festival (October 1st).

FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact – 077 696 8888 9 or 01766 590434

www.citcom.info <http://www.citcom.info/>

Interviews are available with people taking part living in: Aberystwyth: Acrefair: Barmouth: Blaenau Ffestiniog: Bontnewydd: Borth-y-Gest: Caernarfon: Colwyn Bay: Criccieth: Dolgellau: Dwyfygylchi; Liverpool: Llandudno: Llanfairfechan: Llangefni: Llangollen: Llangybi: Llanystumdwy: Maentwrog: Menai Bridge: Minffordd (Meirionnydd); Morfa Bychan: Mostyn: Nant Peris: Nebo: Penmorfa: Penygroes: Porthmadog: Pwllheli: Trawsfynydd: Waunfawr: Whitchurch (Shropshire)

And students from Coleg Menai – Coleg Harlech – Coleg Llandrillo – Coleg Meirion/Dwyfor