A SHAKESPEARE classic is given a groovy twist as two leading theatre companies combine in Leeds.

Bite My Thumb and Northern Spark Theatre will present a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream set in the 1960s.

On a moonlit evening during The Summer of Love, four young lovers find themselves wrapped in the arms of an enchanted forest where poppies grow and fairies rule.

While a feuding Fairy King and Queen war, their paths are crossed by an amateur dramatics group rehearsing a play.

The course of true love is anything but smooth, and games of fantasy, love and drug-filled dreams ensue in this “far out” new staging of Shakespeare’s most popular comedy, promising romance, hilarity and a host of 60s tunes.

The two theatre groups previously presented popular productions of Blood Brothers and Brassed Off.

Scott Bellas, the show’s director, said: “It’s always been my intention to put on a production of The Dream because the show has always been so close to my heart.

“I met my wife Jess during a student production and our wedding had a strong Midsummer Night’s Dream theme to it. I suppose this production is somewhat a tribute to her, our love and the family we now are.”

However, it isn’t all sugar and sap as this production delves deep into several of Shakespeare’s evident themes in the piece.

Scott said: “The language is quite often sexual rather than romantic and we thought, what with it being the 50th anniversary, 1967’s The Summer of Love would be the perfect setting for the play.

“So the lovers are young Carnaby Street revolutionaries and the fairies come across as flower power hippies.”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be at the Guiseley Theatre on Saturday September 16 and Halifax Playhouse in September 29 and 30.

Visit bitemythumb.co.uk for further information.