A Midsummer Night's Dream: A Comparison of Arden Performance Editions

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Arden Performance Editions

by William Shakespeare

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	106450 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	232 pages

FREE

William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of the most beloved and frequently performed plays in the English language. It is a witty and enchanting comedy that follows the adventures of four young lovers who find themselves entangled in a magical forest on a midsummer night. The play is full of humor, romance, and spectacle, and it has been adapted for stage, screen, and opera numerous times.

The Arden Performance Editions of Shakespeare's plays are designed to provide actors, directors, and students with everything they need to create successful productions of the plays. These editions include:

• A clear and authoritative text of the play
• Extensive performance notes that provide insights into the play's language, characters, and themes
• Critical materials that offer a range of perspectives on the play

There are two Arden Performance Editions of A Midsummer Night's Dream:

• The First Edition, edited by Harold Brooks, was published in 1979.
• The Second Edition, edited by Kiernan Ryan, was published in 2019.

Both editions offer a wealth of valuable information for actors, directors, and students. However, there are some key differences between the two editions that may make one more suitable for a particular production.

The First Edition

The Arden Performance Edition of A Midsummer Night's Dream, edited by Harold Brooks, was first published in 1979. This edition is based on the First Folio text of the play, and it includes a number of features that make it ideal for performance. These features include:

• A clear and concise text of the play, with modernized spelling and punctuation
• Extensive performance notes that provide insights into the play's language, characters, and themes
• A glossary of terms that may be unfamiliar to modern readers
• An appendix of production notes that offer suggestions for staging, costumes, and lighting

The First Edition of the Arden Performance Edition of A Midsummer Night's Dream is a reliable and comprehensive resource for actors, directors, and students. It provides everything needed to create a successful production of the play.

The Second Edition

The Arden Performance Edition of A Midsummer Night's Dream, edited by Kiernan Ryan, was published in 2019. This edition is based on the Oxford Shakespeare text of the play, and it includes a number of new features not found in the First Edition. These features include:

• A fully annotated text of the play, with notes on the play's language, meter, and sources
• A performance history of the play, tracing its production from the early modern period to the present day
• A section on the play's music, with notes on the songs and dances
• An appendix of essays on the play's themes, characters, and staging

The Second Edition of the Arden Performance Edition of A Midsummer Night's Dream is a comprehensive and scholarly resource for actors, directors, and students. It provides everything needed to create a well-informed and successful production of the play.

The Arden Performance Editions of A Midsummer Night's Dream are essential resources for anyone involved in a production of the play. The First Edition is a reliable and comprehensive resource that provides everything needed to create a successful production. The Second Edition is a more scholarly resource that provides a wealth of information on the play's language, history, and performance.

Ultimately, the best edition of the Arden Performance Edition of A Midsummer Night's Dream for a particular production will depend on the needs of the actors, directors, and students involved. However, both editions offer a wealth of valuable information that can help to create a successful and memorable production of the play.

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Arden Performance Editions

by William Shakespeare

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	106450 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	232 pages

FREE