A Midsummer Night’s Dream

At the court of Duke Theseus in Athens, Hermia declares she loves Lysander while her father Egeus demands she marry Demetrius. Theseus upholds the ancient law, offering Hermia the choice of death or a vow of chastity as a nun if she refuses. Hermia and Lysander decide to flee the city to be together.

Peter Quince and his fellow players gather to stage a play about Pyramus and Thisbe to honor the Duke and Hippolyta's forthcoming wedding. Quince assigns roles and Bottom quickly volunteers for multiple characters, despite the others' skepticism. They plan to meet at the Duke's oak tree to rehearse.

In the forest, Oberon and Titania are arguing over the custody of a changeling child. Titania refuses to surrender the child, prompting Oberon to enlist his mischievous servant Puck to fetch the love-in-idleness flower. The plan is to use the flower's magic to topple Titania's enchantment and gain leverage over her.

Oberon uses a magic flower on Titania's eyes as she sleeps, intending to make her fall in love with the first creature she sees upon waking. When Titania awakens, she is immediately smitten with the ass-headed Bottom. The enchanted pairing disrupts the fairy court's balance as Oberon watches.

Hermia and Lysander slip away into the forest to elope, hoping to call off the law's constraints. Demetrius tracks them down, driven by his own love for Hermia, while Helena follows hoping to win back Demetrius's favor. The forest becomes a stage for their pursuit and romantic tensions.

Oberon sends Puck to apply the love potion to Demetrius's eyes as he sleeps, planning for him to fall in love with Helena. When Demetrius wakes, he is instantly captivated by Helena, creating jealousy and confusion among the would-be lovers.

Puck, misreading the situation, anoints Lysander's eyes instead, causing Lysander to fall in love with Helena upon waking. Hermia's plan to be with Lysander collapses as both men pursue Helena, leaving Hermia desperate and confused.

Helena confronts Hermia and accuses her of stealing Lysander; the four lovers quarrel in the woods as feelings become tangled. The former jealousy escalates as Lysander and Demetrius vow to duel to prove their love for Helena. Puck and Oberon watch, guiding the chaos from the shadows.

Oberon instructs Puck to separate Lysander and Demetrius and to remove Lysander's enchantment after some time. When the potion is reversed, Lysander returns to loving Hermia, while Demetrius remains in love with Helena. Titania remains under the spell until Oberon frees her.

Oberon lifts Titania from her spell and the fairy court departs with a blessing on the day’s events. Puck then undoes the donkey enchantment on Bottom, restoring him to himself and ensuring the other lovers awaken believing it was all a dream. The forest settles as magic's mischief cools.

The lovers awaken and return to Athens to attend Theseus's wedding to Hippolyta. Theseus overrules Egeus and arranges Hermia to Lysander and Helena to Demetrius, affirming the couples' future unions. The city prepares for a celebratory wedding.

The troupe performs Pyramus and Thisbe at the wedding, delivering a performance so imperfect it becomes comedic. After the play, Oberon, Titania, and the fairies bless the house, ensuring good fortune for the newly united couples. Puck closes by hinting that what the audience witnessed might have been only a dream.