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‘Riotous and celebratory’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream live streamed in a world first

was broadcast live around the world for audiences to enjoy for free as part of Shakespeare Lives, the online digital festival co-curated by the 91Èȱ¬ and the .

A Midsummer Night's Dream was streamed live on Sunday 11 September at 1830 BST and is available to watch on demand worldwide and for audiences in the UK .

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A Midsummer Night's Dream

Live from Shakespeare's Globe, the romantic story fuses music, dance and serious comedy.

The final night of the Bollywood-infused , which has wowed critics and played to sold-out audiences at the Bankside theatre in London, was streamed live on Sunday 11th September 2016. It was the first time any production was live streamed internationally from Shakespeare’s Globe. Introduced by actress and comedian Meera Syal, the show is available on-demand which can be accessed anywhere in the world as well as on for viewers in the UK.

As part of the build-up to the live performance, presenter took audiences on an access all-areas tour exploring the inner workings of the faithfully reconstructed Elizabethan theatre. In a series of live broadcasts on social media, Lindsey spoke to the cast and crew behind the production and found out what goes into running the world famous venue.

The live stream was introduced by actress Meera Syal (91Èȱ¬)

Watch exclusive videos from behind the scenes of #DreamLive

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About Shakespeare Lives

is a six-month, online festival to celebrate 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare. Hosted in Birmingham, accessible anywhere in the world and co-curated by the 91Èȱ¬ and the , it has brought audiences performances and insight from some of the nation’s greatest performing arts institutions.

Since it launched on Shakespeare’s anniversary 23rd April 2016, more than a million visitors have experienced a remarkable collection of interpretations of Shakespeare’s work together in one digital space, in collaboration with the , the , and the . The project is supported by the .

Cortina Butler, Director Shakespeare Lives said: “We’re delighted to play a part in making it possible for a truly international audience to experience a magical, modern production from Shakespeare’s Globe. Our unique digital partnership with the 91Èȱ¬ and leading cultural organisations from the UK, has been a highlight of our year-long Shakespeare Lives programme.”

Emma Rice, Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe, says:

This is the best gift to the audience I can imagine and will catapult this amazing play and extraordinary venue into living rooms around the country.
Emma Rice, Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe

“I’m thrilled that my first production at the Globe is being filmed by the 91Èȱ¬ in this innovative and energetic way with the British Council. I can’t wait to see the live broadcast as it captures the joyous spirit of A Midsummer Night’s Dream - my love letter to Shakespeare and The Globe!

"I am especially delighted to think that this landmark broadcast will reach even more people than we can fit in the Globe over an entire summer season - especially when we have been sold-out for weeks and have queues round the building wanting to share the love!

This is the best gift to the audience I can imagine and will catapult this amazing play and extraordinary venue into living rooms around the country.

Magic indeed! Wonder indeed!”

Anjana Vasan as Hermia and Edmund Derrington as Lysander

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