Vintage original 8 x 10 in. US single-weight glossy photograph from a theatrical production of William Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, produced in 1954 by the LA Civic Light Opera Association and directed by Michael Benthall. The cast was led by Robert Helpmann, Moira Shearer, and Stanley Holloway.
As indicated by the original paper snipe attached to the verso, the image depicts Robert Helpmann as Oberon, king of the fairies, with Titania, queen of the fairies. This actual photograph was used for publication by a newspaper and features remnants of the afore-mentioned clipping. It is in very good condition as shown with some waviness on the corresponding area where the snipe is and tears and writing in pencil in the borders.
Provenance: The Hearst Herald Examiner newspaper archive.
Theseus, Duke of Athens, is going to marryHyppolyta, Queen of the Amazons. Demetrius is engaged with Hermia, but Hermialoves Lysander. Helena loves Demetrius. Oberon and Titania, of the kingdom offairies have a slight quarrel about whether or not the boy Titania is raisingwill join Titania's band or Oberon's, so Oberon tries to get him from her byusing some magic. But they're not alone in that forest.Lysander and Herminahave there a rendezvous, Helena and Demetrius are there, too as well as someactors, who are practicing a play for the ongoing wedding of Theseus andHippolyta. Due to some misunderstandings by Puck, the whole thing becomes alittle bit confused.