National Shakespeare Co. to perform fey comedy

The nation's oldest professional touring company of actors brings one of William Shakespeare's most popular comedies to MSU Feb. 22.

The National Shakespeare Co. will perform "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in Lee Hall auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for senior citizens (by request) and $3 for children 3-12. Individual tickets are available only at the door. MSU students and season ticket holders have priority seating until 7:10 p.m.

The cast of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Shakespeare's comedy brings together the worlds of mortals and the fairies and introduces the timeless sprite, Puck, whose matchmaking mischief creates confusion among both worlds.

Audiences can enjoy the timelessness of the story, said director Ron Rashford.

"If I had to choose a play for someone seeing Shakespeare for the first time, it would definitely be "A Midsummer Night's Dream," he said. "You don't need a background in history or politics of the times to understand the story."

"The play has everything for an audience to enjoy," he continued. "First, we can all relate to falling in love for the first time; and second, the world of the fairies and magic is greatly entertaining."

A goal of the National Shakespeare Co. is to make its productions accessible to modern audiences. One way it does this is through its national touring program where performers log more than 35,000 miles each year with some 100 performances in 37 states.

Another way the company reaches out to the public is with its educational program "Shakespeare to the Quick" which promotes literacy and language skills at more than 70 schools in the New York City area.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" is sponsored by the university's Lyceum Series. The next Lyceum performance is March 14 when the percussion ensemble NEXUS takes the stage. The 1999-2000 series ends April 4 with a performance by the Martha Graham Dance Ensemble.

For more information, telephone 325-4201 or visit the Lyceum web site at <www.msstate.edu/dept/lyceum>.