A Company of Fools Presents ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ July 29 in Almonte

Press Release – A Company of Fools

Pack your picnic blankets and prepare to sail away as a Company of Fools brings you to the shores of the Greek islands!

This year, the Fools are setting Shakespeare’s most famous comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, against a backdrop inspired by seaside revelry, moonlit dances and the toe-tapping energy of your favourite ‘70s disco (you may feel an inexplicable urge to clap along, and we encourage you to follow that feeling!).

And they’re bringing the show to Almonte! They’ll perform along the Almonte Alameda on Wednesday, July 29 at 7 p.m.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a tale of love, magic, and mischief. The story follows four young lovers who flee into the woods, where they encounter a feuding fairy king and queen, a playful fairy named Puck, and a group of well-meaning amateur actors from the village. With a splash of love potion and a lot of confusion, hearts are tangled, identities are mixed up, and nothing goes quite according to plan. 'Dream' is a celebration that reminds us that love can be unpredictable, absurd, and beautifully transformative.

Imagine the musical stylings of ABBA and David Bowie, the passion of Love Island, and the cobblestone streets of coastal Greece all coming together to bring you one fantastical evening in your local park! From the costumes to the sets, to a retro bike or two, this production is sure to provide audiences with 90 minutes of laughs, excitement and maybe even a group dance number. Audiences can expect to leave with their cheeks sore from smiling and humming a tune all the way home.

The creative team

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is directed by Kate Smith, an award-winning Ottawa director and playwright, known for Mr. Burns, a post-electric play, @TheMayor and Exciting Cause.

Costume design by Vanessa Imeson, the Fools’ resident multidisciplinary designer and GCTC’s Head of Wardrobe, whose award-winning work spans puppetry, wigs, makeup, and costumes. The set and props are designed by Stephanie Brett, a Prix Rideau Award-winning designer and scenic artist (TACTICS, Spicy Day, a Company of Fools) with experience across Canadian stages.

Musical direction by David daCosta, an Ottawa-based composer and recent grad of Sheridan’s music scoring program, blending theatrical storytelling with a retro twist. Stage management by the extraordinary Shauna Akkermans, joining us again after managing our 2026 TYA Tour, The Understudies.

The cast

This year’s cast features six powerhouse performers taking on multiple roles: Ananya Antony (Macbeth, a Company of Fools; The Understudies, a Company of Fools), Bénédicte Bélizaire (Seeker, Centaur; Scorpio moon, Imago Theatre; How Black Mothers Say I Love You, GCTC), Daniella Bell (Songs for a New World, Elevator Theatre Company; August: Osage County, Elevator Theatre Company; The Understudies, A Company of Fools), Max Borowski (Queen Maeve, Tarragon Theatre; Outside, Dora award nomination, Roseneath Theatre), Kyle Cameron (Foul Play, Dead Unicorn Ink; The Vexed and The Vigorous, Dead Unicorn Ink), and Stéphanie Charbonneau (Juliet, YES Theatre; Les Aveugles, Théâtre aux Quatre Vents).

The details

• June 29 – August 15, 2026
• Almonte date: Wednesday, July 29, 7 p.m. along the Alameda
• Performing Monday through Saturday nightly at 7 p.m.
• Pay-what-you-can | No tickets required

All performances are outdoors in local parks, with a full tour schedule available at www.fools.ca/a-midsummer-nights-dream-2026

Bring a blanket, a picnic, and your fellow ‘Dynamos’. Shows run approximately 90 minutes, are family-friendly and offer a perfect introduction to Shakespeare for audiences of all ages.

About a Company of Fools

Founded 36 years ago, a Company of Fools brings bold, accessible, and joyfully irreverent theatre to Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. Best known for our Shakespeare in the Park tours, the Fools perform 90-minute adaptations of the Bard’s best works in parks and public spaces – all on a pay-what-you-can basis. Blending slapstick, mask, puppetry and music, the Fools turn classic texts into high-octane spectacles for the whole family.

Whether you’re a Shakespeare newbie or a seasoned theatregoer, a night with the Fools promises laughter, magic and community under the stars!