Pittsburgh Fringe 2026
A Rollicking Dream of Midsummer
Brawling Bard Theater
Genre: Theatre
Venue: Metta
Festival: Pittsburgh Fringe
Low Down
A Dream of Midsummer, written and directed by Alan Irvine and performed by the Brawling Bard Theater, is a sixty-minute high-energy spin-off of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Irvine’s script creates a modern group of ‘Rude Mechanicals’ having to improvise an unrehearsed Shakespearean performance. It’s a funny premise that works best if you’re familiar with the original plot and characters. Otherwise you may find yourself hopelessly lost.
Review
Performed at Metta Healing Arts, the setting is provided by a single platform and trunk of props. Each actor plays multiple roles, and costumes are limited to quickly donned hats or scarves. At the Saturday four o’clock performance, there was natural lighting, courtesy of multiple windows. The sparseness of the production elements, in addition to being closer to what Elizabethan audiences might expect, puts the emphasis squarely on the actors and the script.
The writing is funny, shamelessly so at times. The staging is creative and physical, including a duel with unexpected stand-ins for swords. These are clearly amateur actors, which is perfect for the premise. And the commitment of these folks, their flat-out joy and creative play is the show’s strength. Andy Cole particularly showed some lovely comedic instincts. Anne Rematt brought a touch more finesse to the group, as well as choreographing the fights. The nearly full audience laughed heartily.
