The Lincoln-based company provided a magical evening of entertainment in a secluded part of the park on Friday, June 25, as they continued their nationwide tour of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Richard Main’s production, directed by Paul Wetherby, was full of exuberance and humour and the actors really got into the spirit of the occasion.

The Shakespearean verse was brought to life with clever asides and actions which made it accessible even for a newcomer to the Bard.

As is usual with this play, the Mechanicals stole the show with their hilarious antics in their amateur performance of Pyramus and Thisbe, a Roman tragedy.

Adam Diggle provided a comic master class as Bottom, but it was the brilliantly executed whole-cast scene in which the tragedy is performed that brought the most laughs.

Miles Eagling, originally of Southwell, played a large part in the frolics as the wall that separated the two lovers.

His training as a Southwell Minster chorister was also put to good use with a solo singing performance.

The songs throughout were well chosen and lifted the production, adding an extra bit of magic to the occasion.

The actors’ singing talents gave an imaginative touch to the portrayal of the fairies in the play, which were represented by puppets on long telescopic poles.

Each actor hummed while they floated the fairies over the stage and sang their lines in harmony.

Martin McCreadie’s impish interpretation of Puck was excellent and revealed his background in physical theatre.

Other notable performances were from Rosa Glover as Helena, Nicola Day as Hermia, and Adam Grayson as Demetrius and Thisbe.

Chapterhouse return to Newark on August 18 with a production of The Merchant Of Venice in the castle grounds.

On the basis of this performance, it will be one not to miss — AM.