Pioneering Theatre Company Headlong Announce a UK Tour Of A Midsummer Night’s Dream

In a continuation of their commitment to touring high quality drama nationally, pioneering theatre company Headlong have today announced a UK tour of their brand new production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream which will arrive at Bristol Old Vic in Mar 2026, tickets onsale to Members from this Thur 26 Jun, and General onsale 3 Jul.
 
A Production by Headlong and Shakespeare’s Globe, with Bristol Old Vic and Leeds Playhouse, A Midsummer Night’s Dream will open at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe from 13 Nov 2025 - 31 Jan 2026.
 
The production will then tour to Shakespeare North Playhouse (3-7 Feb 2026), Leeds Playhouse, a Headlong Associate Partner venue (14-28 Feb 2026), Bristol Old Vic (4-21 Mar 2026) and Oxford Playhouse, a Headlong Associate Partner venue (24-28 Mar 2026).
 
Directed by Headlong’s Artistic Director, Holly Race Roughan, this striking new staging will continue Headlong’s lens of staging all plays like they are new plays, no matter their age or place in the public conscience, asking audiences to look at the stories they think they know afresh.

Image - A Midsummers Night's Dream Banner
 
Holly Race Roughan said: “The world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a turbulent one, the natural environment is upside down and unpredictable, and the political and social landscape is on edge, creating a sense of tension that we are all experiencing today.
 
“This new staging will explore some of the darker elements of Shakespeare’s well-known comedy, turning it on its head and asking us to reexamine its themes and subject matter.
 
“Following a highly successful collaboration on Henry V, it is a joy to be partnering once again with Shakespeare’s Globe and our committed national partners to allow audiences to meet this play in the moment we are in”.
 
The creative team announced today includes Co-Director Naeem Hayat, Designer Max Johns and Movement Director Malik Nashad Sharpe.
 
In the depths of winter, discover the magic of A Midsummer Night's Dream as you've never seen it before.
 
To escape a society ruled by tyrannical law, four young lovers flee to the forest beyond the city walls. But the world of the woods has been turned upside down by a fierce battle between the Fairy King and Queen, Oberon and Titania, over a stolen child.
 
As their quarrel deepens, others fall prey to jealousy, manipulation, and the dark spells of Oberon's unruly Puck. As day turns to night and snow begins to fall in summer, can anyone stop the dream from turning into a nightmare?
 
The UK tour of A Midsummer Night’s Dream follows on from a season of work marking 50 years of Headlong in 2024/25, including UK tours of Laura Lomas’s new work The House Party and the classic A Raisin in the Sun. Artistic Director Holly Race Roughan also directed the Royal Shakespeare Company’s world premiere of David Edgar’s (Nicholas Nickleby, Pentecost, Maydays) major new political play The New Real produced in association with Headlong at the RSC’s The Other Place. Headlong’s highly acclaimed co-production with the National Theatre, People, Places & Things also returned to the West End in 2024, starring Denise Gough.
 
For more information and tickets, visit bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/a-midsummer-nights-dream
Headlong’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be created to meet Intermediate Theatre Green Book standards. The Theatre Green Book is a vital initiative pushing the industry toward greener, smarter practices. Being part of this movement means Headlong is committed to reducing their environmental impact across every part of their work – from office to rehearsal to performance.