The magic of the forest has arrived at Unicorn Theatre on Tooley Street, and it is carrying more weight than your average fairy dust. The Unicorn Theatre, in a historic first-of-its-kind collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), has unveiled a world premiere retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream that proves the Bard isn’t just for students in dusty classrooms—it’s for everyone as this performance is aimed at theatre goers as young as seven.
Running from until 10 May 2026, this production marks a landmark partnership between two of the UK’s heavy hitters in the arts. By blending the RSC’s unparalleled Shakespearean pedigree with the Unicorn’s mastery of youth engagement, the result is a production that feels less like a classic and more like a high-energy playground.
Why it works for young Londoners
Shakespeare’s comedy of errors, mismatched lovers, and mischievous spirits can be a lot to digest, but this fresh adaptation strips away the intimidation factor. Yes, the bard’s language can be difficult to follow by young spectators but a young mind’s imagination can easily fill the gaps to turn this story into a magical theatre experience.
This is helped a great deal by the strong relationship between the actors on stage and the audience. And this talented ensemble just know how to get the young ones engaged.
The storytelling is visual, physical, and fast-paced, ensuring that even the youngest theatre goers can follow the chaotic antics of Puck and the transformative donkey-business of Bottom. The acting is joyous and fills the stage with boisterous energy.
This isn’t a museum piece. The world premiere status means the staging, costumes, and energy are designed for a modern London audience that values diversity, wit, and a bit of festive mayhem and this show deliver all these in abundance.
Final verdict
Seeing the RSC’s technical brilliance within the intimate, welcoming walls of the Unicorn makes the scale of the show feel both grand and personal. The venue is very accessible, the actors engagement with the audience is brilliant – love how they come so close to their public during the performance and the projections of the written verse helped us get closer to the story.
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to introduce your children to the world of Shakespeare, this is it. The Unicorn and the RSC have successfully bridged the gap between high art and high fun, creating a vibrant, accessible gateway into one of the greatest stories ever told.
A Middsumer’s Night Dream is at the Unicorn Theatre until 10 May 2026. Tickets from £10. Age 7+. Book early, as this landmark collaboration is selling fast!
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