How a Shakespeare adaption became a 'dark comedy' musical

What began as a radical reimagining of A Midsummer Night's Dream has developed into an ambitious new musical. Created over four years at LIPA, Knight's Dream features an original score and uses comedy to explore serious and, at times, uncomfortable issues. 

Written and produced by Management graduate Connie Evans, the production is heading to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a cast and crew of 11 LIPA students and graduates. We spoke to Connie about how the show has been shaped through practical projects and creative collaboration at LIPA, its continued development, and what audiences in Edinburgh can look forward to. 

Tell us about A Knight's Dream and its development at LIPA? 

I did the Foundation Acting course at LIPA and then went on to do the Management degree. I spent time in the foundation course writing it, developing it and taking the songs to the studio. I had this script written by the time I joined the Management course and it started out as one of my projects, so the first year we did it we did it as a cabaret at the top of Arts Bar on Hope Street. The next year it was in the Unity Theatre, and now in its third year we are taking it to Edinburgh Fringe! Every year I’ve been at LIPA I have had the opportunity to make show bigger and bigger. 

Knight’s Dream is a new musical and it’s very inspired by Shakesphere’s Midsummer Night's Dream. When I started writing the script, it started off as a Shakespeare adaptation, but then I went rogue with it! 

It’s based in a bar where there is a spiking problem. The whole show is set around the bartender, and her boss, who is forcing her to spike different drinks, then it goes haywire -  there’s a love triangle that goes wrong, a donkey mask, it’s chaotic! It’s a serious topic that I wanted to raise awareness of, and the show is funny, but it does respect the problem of spiking. It is a comedy, but I have branded it as a dark comedy. 

What can audiences expect? 

Apparently, I can write catchy songs! People leave the theatre, and I will get texts saying that songs from the show are stuck in their head. So, expect catchy songs! Also expect some big dance moments, some sad moments and some great one liners.  

There is a moment at the end that people talk about it because it’s quite uncomfortable and shocking. I want people to have a great time and to enjoy the musical, but also, I want people to experience a little bit of discomfort at the end of the show, mainly due to us raising awareness of the topic of spiking.  

How has the Management course helped you develop this show and take it to Edinburgh? 

When I joined the Management course, in the first year we had to put on a practical project and that opened a space for me to put out something I had written. I had support from tutors and putting Knight’s Dream on made me learn so much to help me put it on year after year and keep improving.  

I have been working a lot with another student doing Management, Erin Brunda, who has been my partner in crime for the Fringe. The course really opens opportunities for collaboration.  

What the biggest challenge of putting on a show at the Edinburgh Fringe? 

Honestly, I'm so tired! Every time I do something, I have ten more things to do! It's a team of 11 in total, which is quite a big group to take to Edinburgh while making sure everybody is happy. Then there is the budgeting side of things, and the fundraiser, I had eight people staying over at my house for that!  

Keeping on top of it can be difficult, but I am hoping the result will be worth it. It's so exciting to see my writing on stage, sometimes I kind of sit there and I go "this is cool." I am having a lot of help, the actors are just brilliant, I have also got my musical director Ryan Addyman, who is helping with harmonies and sheet music. All the things I am unable to do, I am getting help from other LIPA students! 

Book tickets for A Knight's Dream

Cast: 

Bartender: Charlotte Teeples 

Tulisa: Hedda Nordahl-Hagen 

Oscar: Tom Foley 

Tim: Ryan Addyman 

Carmen: Penelope Heydt 

Hailee: Amy Bossom 

Luka: Daniel Rossiter 

Theo: Max Willmott 

Director/Writer/Producer: Constance Evans 

Choreographer/Producer: Erin Brunda 

Musical Director: Ryan Addyman 

Stage Manager/Mask Maker: Victoria Sales 

Sound: Rosie Connors-Pelling