A Midsummer Night’s Dream
James Ricks as Bottom and Juliana Hurt as Titania.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
by William Shakespeare
June 19 - July 20, 2025
Agecroft Hall, 4305 Sulgrave Rd, Richmond, VA 23221
Probably written between 1594 and 1596, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. It is set across two worlds – the court of Athens and a mystical forest that lies beyond the city’s walls. The play is a comedy and explores themes of the irrationality of love, desire, friendship, possession, jealousy, and magic.
On Midsummer’s Night, the real and fairy worlds collide. Four young lovers, faced with the prospect of unhappy marriage or worse, flee the court of Athens and stumble into an enchanted forest. Nearby, a group of amateur actors rehearse a play to celebrate an upcoming royal wedding. As these mere mortals cross paths with a warring fairy King and Queen, chaos reigns in the natural world. The lines between reality and illusion start to blur and no-one but mischievous Puck knows what is true and what is magic.
What to Expect at the Richmond Shakespeare Festival
Gates to Agecroft Hall open at 6p. Patrons are encouraged to arrive early, explore the beautifully landscaped gardens, and enjoy a picnic on the grounds before the performance.
Please note that the interior of the Agecroft Hall house museum is not open to the public during the festival. However, Agecroft operates a gift shop offering distinctive and creative gifts, jewelry, and books reflecting British history, with an emphasis on the Tudor period. Light snacks and bottled water are also available for purchase.
DuCard Vineyards will be onsite during performances, offering a selection of delicious Virginia wines available for purchase.
Performances begin promptly at 7:30p and take place in the outdoor courtyard. Seating is provided through a combination of bleacher and folding chairs. Guests are welcome to bring bleacher cushions, bug spray, and any other items to ensure a comfortable outdoor experience.
We look forward to welcoming you for an unforgettable evening of Shakespeare under the stars.
Cancellation Policy:
Patrons will receive any cancellation-related updates by 5:30pm on the day of the show announced via email and social media. Should any show be cancelled prior to 7:30pm, all ticket-holding patrons will be eligible to reschedule their tickets for another 2025 Richmond Shakespeare Festival performance. Should the show begin, but be cancelled prior to intermission, all ticketholders on site will be eligible to reschedule for another 2025 Richmond Shakespeare performance. Any show cancelled after intermission is not eligible for ticket rescheduling. Rescheduling requests can be made by calling the Box Office at (804) 340-0115 or emailing boxoffice@richmondshakespeare.org
Audio description performance in partnership with Virginia Voice on July 6.