DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

[Chorus], [Fairy 3], [Fairy 4], [Prologue]

Other Fairies attending their King and Queen. Attendants on Theseus and Hippolyta.

Theseus, (Prince of Athens)	Mr. RYDER.
Egeus, (Father to Hermia)	Mr. GRAHAM.
Lysander, (in love with Hermia)	Mr. J. F. CATHCART.
Demetrius, (in love with Hermia)	Mr. BRAZIER.
Philostrate, (Master of the Revels to Theseus)	Mr. BUTLER.
Quince, (the Carpenter)	Mr. F. MATTHEWS.
Snug, (the Joiner)	Mr. F. COOKE.
Bottom, (the Weaver)	Mr. HARLEY.
Flute, (the Bellows-mender)	Mr. SAKER.
Snout, (the Tinker)	Mr. MEADOWS.
Starveling, (the Tailor)	Mr. BARSBY.
Hippolyta, (Queen of the Amazons, betrothed to Theseus)	Miss MURRAY.
Hermia, (Daughter of Egeus, in love with Lysander)	Miss BUFTON.
Helena, (in love with Demetrius)	Miss HEATH.
Oberon, (King of the Fairies)	Miss F. TERNAN.
Titania, (Queen of the Fairies)	Miss C. LECLERCQ.
Puck, or Robin Goodfellow (a Fairy)	Miss Ellen TERRY.
First Singing Fairy [Fairy 1],	Miss Marian TAYLOR.
Second Singing Fairy [Fairy 2],	Miss Laura HONEY.
Another Fairy [Fairy],	Miss R. LECLERCQ.
Fairy, (Who joins in Titania's Dance)	Miss DESBOROUGH.
Fairy, (Who joins in Titania's Dance)	Miss. C. ADAMS.
Fairy, (Who joins in Titania's Dance)	Miss Kate TERRY.
Fairy, (Who joins in Titania's Dance)	Miss STARTIN.
Peas-blossom [Peaseblossom], (Fairy)	Miss E. EDMONDS.
Cobweb, (Fairy)	Miss A. SMITH.
Moth, (Fairy)	Miss E. Grey.
Mustard-seed [Mustardseed], (Fairy)	Miss J. WARTON.
Pyramus, Character in the Interlude performed by the Clowns.
Thisbe [Thisby], Character in the Interlude performed by the Clowns.
Wall, Character in the Interlude performed by the Clowns.
Moonshine, Character in the Interlude performed by the Clowns.
Lion, Character in the Interlude performed by the Clowns.

Scene—ATHENS, and a Wood not far from it.

The Scenery under the Direction of Mr. GRIEVE, and Painted by Mr. GRIEVE, Mr. W. GORDON, Mr. F. LLOYDS, Mr. CUTHBERT, Mr. DAYES, Mr. MORRIS, And numerous Assistants. The Music under the direction of Mr. J. L. HATTON. The Dances and Action, by Mr. OSCAR BYRN. The Decorations & Appointments by Mr. E. W. BRADWELL. The Dresses by Mrs. and Miss HOGGINS. The Machinery by Mr. G. HODSON. Perruquier, Mr. ASPLIN, of No. 13, New Bond Street. ^note

PREFACE.

A Midsummer-Night's Dream was, according to the best authorities, written by Shakespeare, at a period of life when his creative mind “glowed with all the warmth of a youthful and lively imagination.” The poet did not search into history or tradition for the story, but, relying solely on his own exquisite genius, bequeathed to posterity one of “those unparalleled compositions which have rendered him the delight and wonder of successive ages.”

Apart from the supernatural agencies, which relate to the quarrels of Oberon, the Fairy Monarch, and his Queen Titania, the classical figures of Theseus and Hippolyta stand forward as the chief human personages of this most harmonious of dramas. Nevertheless, the general character of the play is so far from historical, that while I have made Athens and its neighbourhood the subject of illustration, I have held myself unfettered with regard to chronology. Indeed, sufficient is not known of the details of Greek life and architecture in the time of Theseus to render complete (or proximate) accuracy possible, even if a theatrical representation of the period were attempted.

It may be added, that the buildings existing in Athens during that early age (twelve hundred years before the Christian era), were most probably rude in construction, were formed of the simplest materials, and retained the Egyptian features introduced

by Cecrops, the mythical founder of the city. Such edifices could have nothing in common with the impressions of Greek civilization that exist in every educated mind.

Influenced by these considerations, I have selected a later period, in the hope of conveying an idea of Athens as it would have appeared to one of its own inhabitants, at a time when it had attained its greatest splendour in literature and in art—when it stood in its pride and glory, ennobled by a race of illustrious men, and containing the most beautiful objects the world had ever seen.

The Acropolis, on its rocky eminence, surrounded by marble Temples, has been restored, together with the Theatre of Bacchus, wherein multitudes once thronged to listen to the majestic poetry of Æschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides; and near which stands that memorable hill from whence the words of sacred truth were first promulgated to the Athenian citizens by apostolic inspiration.

A portion of the music, hitherto introduced in the “Midsummer-Night's Dream,” will be retained (under the direction of Mr. J. L. Hatton), with the addition of the overtures, entr' actes, and airs composed expressly for this play by the late Dr. Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, and pronounced to be amongst the most successful efforts of that celebrated master.

MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.

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