A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare - simple script adaptation

This is a short adapted version of the original play suitable for a large group of different ability SEN students or adults, or mixed ability KS1 classes. It could equally well be used by any mixed ability drama group of any age as an introduction to Shakespeare. This adaptation was originally performed by a group of adults with different learning disabilities plus some support staff. The role of narrator was taken by the drama teacher. This version of the play allows for full participation of everyone in the group whether they are verbal or non verbal, readers or non readers. We had many more fairies and invented extra names. Adapt as you need. Please feel free to pick different music according to the likes of your group. Ensure that the performance venue is happy for you to use recorded music. Larger venues may charge you through PRS for each extract you use.

Note that only a few of the lines in this adaptation are actually from Shakespeare’s text. In most cases, modern language has been used for ease of understanding. It is intended to be an introduction to Shakespeare and his stories.