Pack your picnic blankets and prepare to sail away as a Company of Fools brings you to the shores of the Greek islands! This year the Fools are setting Shakespeare’s most famous comedy against a backdrop inspired by seaside revelry, moonlit dances, and the toe-tapping energy of your favourite ’70s disco (you may feel an inexplicable urge to clap along, and you are encouraged to follow that feeling!).
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a tale of love, magic, and mischief. The story follows four young lovers who flee into the woods, where they encounter a feuding fairy king and queen, a playful fairy named Puck, and a group of well-meaning amateur actors from the village. With a splash of love potion and a lot of confusion, hearts are tangled, identities are mixed up, and nothing goes quite according to plan. Dream is a celebration that reminds us that love can be unpredictable, absurd, and beautifully transformative.
Imagine the musical stylings of ABBA and David Bowie, the passion of Love Island, and the cobblestone streets of coastal Greece all coming together to bring you one fantastical evening in your local park! From the costumes to the sets, to a retro bike or two, this production is sure to provide audiences with 90 minutes of laughs, excitement, and maybe even a group dance number… Audiences can expect to leave with their cheeks sore from smiling and humming a tune all the way home.
Almonte Alameda, and More!
Performances take place at various locations from June 29 through August 15, Monday through Saturday nightly at 7pm. The shows are pay-what-you-can with no tickets required. All performances are outdoors in local parks, with a full tour schedule available at fools.ca. Ottawa Valley audiences will be delighted to hear that the Fools will play along the Almonte Alameda (near the library) on July 29.
Bring a blanket and possibly a picnic, and enjoy these family-friendly shows that offer a perfect introduction to Shakespeare for audiences of all ages.
About a Company of Fools
Founded 36 years ago, a Company of Fools brings bold, accessible, and joyfully irreverent theatre to Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. Blending slapstick, mask, puppetry, and music, the Fools turn classic texts into high-octane spectacles for the whole family.
Whether you’re a Shakespeare newbie or a seasoned theatregoer, a night with the Fools promises laughter, magic, and community under the stars!
The Creative Team
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is directed by Kate Smith, an award-winning Ottawa director, playwright, and Artistic Director of a Company of Fools. Costume Design by Vanessa Imeson, the Fools’ resident multidisciplinary designer and GCTC’s Head of Wardrobe, whose award-winning work spans puppetry, wigs, makeup, and costumes. The set and props are designed by Stephanie Brett, a respected artist in Ottawa’s theatre and film community, specializing in props and scenic painting, and Head of Props as well as the Head Scenic Painter at The Great Canadian Theatre Company. Musical Direction by David daCosta, an Ottawa-based composer and recent grad of Sheridan’s music scoring program, blending theatrical storytelling with a retro twist. Stage Management by the extraordinary Shauna Akkermans, joining us again after managing our 2026 TYA Tour, The Understudies.