BBC Shakespeare Collection: A Midsummer Night's Dream

In 1978, the BBC set itself the task of filming all of William Shakespeare's plays for television. The resulting productions, renowned for their loyalty to the text, utilised the best theatrical and television directors and brought acclaimed performances from leading contemporary actors.

In the woods of Athens, runaway couples, the King and Queen of the fairies, the impish sprite Puck and a band of 'rude mechanicals' prove 'the course of true love never did run smooth' as they play out a comedy of love and the confusion it sometimes brings.

Shakespeare's fairytale comedy contains some of the most lyrical expressions of love, dreams and imagination. The performance is star-studded. With Helen Mirren as Titania and Peter McEnery as Oberon dominating the proceedings, supported by a superb cast. As the New York Times wrote 'they are all accomplished performers, but the director has given the extra dimension of using them brilliantly in terms of television.'