RWCMD collaborate with Matsena Brothers to create new adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Royal Welsh College’s Richard Burton Company presents DREAM, a promenade journey into the dark twisted world of Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

A radical vision

A radical vision of this much-loved play, co-directed by Jonathan Munby and Anthony and Kel Matsena, and choreographed by the Matsena Brothers, brings this classic comedy screaming into the 21st century.

DREAM has been adapted by Jonathan Munby, RWCMD’s Director of Drama Performance, who has just returned from his sell-out run directing Wendy and Peter Pan at the Leeds Playhouse. It’s co-directed and choreographed by Anthony and Kel Matsena, bringing their own particular brand of inspirational collaboration to work with the final year actors and creatives in the rehearsal room.

This production centres on the gender power struggles within the play and highlights questions of identify, truth and trust, reflecting the themes that run across the College’s Richard Burton Company season: Mary Stuart and Shook both look at gender roles, expectation, power and responsibility through a 21st Century lens.

'We’re taking a radical and contemporary approach to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, offering audiences an immersive promenade production, leading them to the dark and twisted heart of the piece.

What the Matsena’s bring is a fresh, highly physical approach to the storytelling that will offer a visceral and high octane experience.'
Jonathan MunbyDirector of Drama Performance

Zimbabwean born and Welsh-raised Anthony and Kel Matsena have built a name for themselves for their innovative and accessible approach to storytelling, aiming to connect with communities through dance, with their award-winning dance company, Matsena Productions.

'Our work usually echoes our own experiences, but this play focuses on words, so it’s about feeling connected to the text and embracing the exciting direction the work is going in. We’re sharing our own knowledge and experience, but this is very much a collaborative process.

It’s so inspiring to be working with the actors and creative team here at RWCMD because of that collaboration. We’ve all got something important to say, so it’s about how we bring that together. We’re also all learning about ourselves as people, as we work our way through Shakespeare’s powerful words, images and emotions.'
Kel Matsena & Anthony MatsenaMatsena Productions

Director Jonathan Munby with Kel Matsena & Anthony Matsena

Adaptation Jonathan Munby from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Choreographers Anthony Matsena & Kel Matsena

Find out more about the Matsena Brothers here.

For more information contact Helen.dunning@rwcmd.ac.uk.