alan gowdy

My wife is shortly to do a literature presentation and needs some information about Peter Brook's 1970 filmed version of Midsummer Night's Dream.
IMDB does not list it, neither does Halliwell. It was based on his much-acclaimed stage version and features radical staging in all-white boxes or voids with some of the performers on trapezes! Does anyone have any production info on this (cast, crew, production company)?

"Don't forget... one of petrol, two of meths"

Ascoyne D'Ascoyne

Perhaps your wife already has this edition but the OUP "World's Classics" edition of the play mentions the Peter Brook production a number of times in the introduction. One footnote states:
"Peter Brook turned Titania's exit with Bottom....into a massive parodic wedding....with Bottom's ass stimulated to a huge erection represented by an actor's arm."
Maybe your wife should take a look in your local "adult shop" for copies of the film! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]

alan gowdy

Oh errr.... sounds kinky. I must follow it up!

thanks Jeff

"Don't forget... one of petrol, two of meths"

plasticjock

Primary cast 1970: Alan Howard, Frances de la Tour, John Kane, Sarah Kestelman, Norman Rodway, Ben Kingsley

Some info links:
http://www.lib.washington.edu/subject/Dram...ndconcepts.html (pictures)
Alan Howard's own site has extensive info on the 1970 production (http://www.alanhoward.org.uk)

Film reference: A History of Shakespeare on Screen: A Century of Film and Television by Kenneth S. Rothwell (£12 on Amazon/£10 Abebooks)

There was a book about the 1970 production, written in the early 80's, by David Selbourne titled: The Making of a Midsummer Night's Dream: An Eye-witness Account of Peter Brook's Production from First Rehearsal to First Night
Copies of this book sell for between £26 up to £125 (Amazon). £65 on Abebooks.

Hope this is of some assistance. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif[/img]

Steve Crook

It looks like it was a stage production. If it was filmed, the IMDb will only list it if that has been shown somewhere, either in cinemas or on TV. Alan Howard's site doesn't mention it being filmed or the film being shown anywhere.

If you do find out about it being shown, then it can be added to the IMDb

Steve

Hugo

I do not think that Peter Brook's much acclaimed stage production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM was ever made into a film. He did a film of KING LEAR but not the DREAM.
I think your wife may be confusing it with the film of the DREAM by Peter HALL made in 1969 with David Warner, Judi Dench, Ian Holm and Ralph Richardson. This was nothing like Brook's production and was filme in a real wood where the fairies got muddier as the story progressed.

alan gowdy

She claims to have seen the movie - quite recently - at her college. I must prevail upon her to borrow the tape for me to check out. I suspect it is not so much a film but rather a record of the stage production. Watch this space. Thanks for the info chaps.

"Don't forget... one of petrol, two of meths"

rlpaulproductions

It was never a film, but the BBC apparently recorded it. I am desperate to find a copy. I am an American documentary producer working with the Folger Shakespeare Library on three hours of radio programs about Shakespeare in America. This production revolutionized the performance of Shakespeare in the United States. We want to use short excerpts from the play interwoven with the sound of American theater directors describing how important the play was to them. I’m trying to find a video of the play so we can watch it, find excerpts that fit what people have talked about and then get back to the BBC with specific requests for footage. Mr. Gowdy said at some point that his wife watched a video of the play. Where did she get it? We can't find a copy anywhere. Thanks so much,

Richard Paul
rlpaulproductions, LLC
http://rlpaulproductions.com
3704 Alton Pl., NW
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 364-0860 (office)
(202) 352-7259 (cell)

maturin

Does anyone have an update on this intriguing story? I would be really interested in seeing the Brook Midsummer Night's Dream. I recall seeing it advertised in the tube tunnels and what a far cry it seemed from the Shakespeare I was being subjected to at school. Anyone know any more?
Rl