Shaking Up Shakespeare: PASCAL Private Secondary School Lefkosia receives High Praise at International Shakespeare Festival

How a fresh, bold take on A Midsummer Night's Dream captured the hearts of Luxembourg judge and audience 

The talent and dedication of our young performers breathed  new life, even into one of the most traditional theatrical works like Midsummer Night's Dream.  The talented cast and crew of A Midsummer Night's Dream delivered a spectacular performance that earned a rewarding review from the festival adjudicator and left a lasting impression on the international stage. Months of rigorous rehearsals and hard work paid off in full, culminating in a production that was described by judges as both thoroughly enjoyable and genuinely inspiring.

The production succeeded by taking creative risks that ultimately captured the true, chaotic spirit of Shakespeare's beloved comedy. The director made bold staging choices that resonated deeply with the audience and adjudicator alike. By infusing the classic tale with unexpected modern elements, the performance felt simultaneously timeless and completely original. The Fairies breathed a remarkably fresh perspective onto the stage, creating an enchanting atmosphere that contrasted beautifully with the real world of the play. Meanwhile, the Lovers brought great humor and a radiant, infectious energy that kept the audience fully engaged in their romantic misadventures.

Adding another layer of brilliance to the show, the Mechanicals brought bold city vibes to their scenes. Their comedic timing and unique style were so compelling that the festival judge openly expressed a desire to see them more on stage. While the entire ensemble worked in perfect harmony, the production featured several standout individual performances that anchored the show. The actor portraying Oberon "led the production confidently", Puck was "an absolute joy - mischievous without malice", and Helena "particularly" brought great humour with her presence and expression.   

We would like to thank our school Drama Coordinator Ms. Rebecca Apostolidou, our accompanying teachers Ms.Kiveli Hadjinikola, Ms. Katerina Xanthou and Ms. Elena Manoli for their invaluable guidance, and our Languages Department for the support. 

Cast (Participants):

Alexia Ioanna May 1A
Areti Georgia Panayide 1A
Alegra Paskulov 1A
Amelia Nicolaou 1B
Athena Herodotou 1B
Marisa Savvidou 1E
Ioanna Serghides 1E
Adriana Irene Worth 1E
Eviliana Lima Photiade 2A
Alexandra Djaleva 2A
Elina Makhmudova 2C
Constantinos Apostolides 2C
Asra Aytan 2C
Nikolas Tsikkos 3A
Maria Stavrou 3B
Sosa Figueroa Sebastian Gabriel 3B
Renata Makhmudova 4D
Guseinova Sofiia 4D
Orestis Papapetrou 4D
Constantina Kythreoti 5A