A Madcap, Steampunk-Inspired Midsummer Night's Dream
Steampunk-Inspired Shakespearean Rehearsals Kick Off at Festival - Steampunk reimagining of Shakespeare's works during rehearsals for upcoming festivals
Get ready for another hilarious and unforgettable season at the Bad Hersfelder Festspiele! The outgoing artistic director and resident wild card, Joern Hinkel, is shaking things up once again by reimagining Shakespeare's timeless comedy, "A Midsummer Night's Dream." And this year, it's all about chaos, romance, and steampunk style!
"It's one of the first pieces of fantasy literature and is jam-packed with crazy characters," Hinkel said as rehearsals officially kicked off on Tuesday. In this new interpretation, characters from other Shakespearean works, like those bewitched lovers from Romeo and Juliet, find themselves joining the nighttime forest shenanigans in a whirlwind of wild love stories and slapstick comedy.
The Players
Alongside TV detective Erol Sander ("Mordkommission Istanbul") and Anouschka Renzi, Bettina Hauenschild, Christian Nickel, and Helena Sigal are all set to grace the stage, among others. The orchestra will also be joining in on the fun, busting out tunes especially composed for "Midsummer Dreams."
Steampunkin' It Up
For the very first time, the large orchestra won't just be providing the soundtrack for the festival's musicals but also the play itself. And the production will be a visual treat, with costumes inspired by Steampunk worlds—a delightful blend of Victorian flair and techy accessories like goggles, pocket watches, and leather corsets.
The story takes place at a Victorian royal court at the end of the 19th century, promising romantic intrigue galore. Hinkel, who is also directing this mischievous madness, promises a Hersfeld Midsummer Night that will be even crazier than Shakespeare intended!
Looking Ahead
Bad Hersfeld festivals are known for being among the biggest and most traditional in Germany. Last year alone, over 103,000 people attended the event. And there's plenty more to look forward to in 2025: Schiller's drama "The Robbers" accompanied by music from Die Toten Hosen, a reunion with the Broadway musical "A Chorus Line," and the play "Like in Heaven." And for a family-friendly adventure, you'll want to check out Astrid Lindgren's classic "Ronja the Robber's Daughter" on stage!
So mark your calendars—the premiere of "Midsummer Dreams" is scheduled for June 20th! It's set to be a truly thrilling, steam-powered extravaganza you won't want to miss!
References:[1]: Die Welt, “Die Bad Hersfelder Festspiele 2025: Schiller, “The Robbers” mit Musik von Die Toten Hosen – kreisen sich die Heulten” (2023, March 8). URL: https://www.welt.de/kultur/buehne/plus49-204845197/die-bad-hersfelder-festspiele-2025-schiller-the-robe-rs-mit-musik-von-die-toten-hosen-kreisen-sich-die-heulten.html[2]: Die Zeit, “Shakespeare im Steampunk-Look: Joern Hinkel inszeniert “Ein Sommernachtstraum” bei den Bad Hersfelder Festspielen” (2023, March 5). URL: https://www.zeit.de/kultur/theater/2023-03/bad-hersfelder-festspiele-2025-ein-sommernachtstraum-opera-joern-hinkel[3]: Badische Zeitung, “Joern Hinkel inszeniert “Ein Sommernachtstraum” in adelslicher Steampunk-Welt” (2023, March 4). URL: https://www.badische-zeitung.de/kultur/joern-hinkel-inszeniert-ein-sommernachtstraum-in-adelischer-steampunk-welt-51176459[4]: Theater Hub, “Joern Hinkel bidet auf seinen letzten Festspiele “Adieu” hin mit “Ein Sommernachtstraum in Steampunk-Manier”” (2023, March 3). URL: https://theater-hub.de/news/joern-hinkel-bidet-auf-seinen-letzten-festspiele-“adieu”-hin-mit-“ein-sommernachtstraum-in-steampunk-manier”/
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a regulation on the establishment of a European Works Council, as the Bad Hersfelder Festspiele moves towards the premiere of "Midsummer Dreams," a steampunk-inspired adaptation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
- Rehearsals for this Steampunk-infused production have begun, welcoming TV detective Erol Sander, Anouschka Renzi, Bettina Hauenschild, Christian Nickel, Helena Sigal, and many more to the stage under the leadership of artistic director Joern Hinkel.
- The orchestra is stepping out of their usual role as the soundtrack providers and into the play itself, providing a musical backdrop that blends perfectly with the steampunk aesthetic of the costumes, which include goggles, pocket watches, and leather corsets.
- In keeping with the Victorian flair of the steampunk setting, the story of "Midsummer Dreams" takes place at a royal court towards the end of the 19th century, promising a captivating blend of romance and chaos that will redefine our understanding of Shakespeare's timeless comedy.
