How Long Is Midsummer Night’s Dream Ballet?

Ballet

William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream has been a popular source of inspiration for ballets since the early 20th century. Since then, many choreographers, including George Balanchine and Benjamin Britten, have created their own interpretations of the play. While each production is unique in its own way, they all have one thing in common: they all last between 90 minutes and 2 and a half hours.

Balanchine’s version was first performed in 1962 and is one of the most admired versions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream ballet. The ballet is set to an original score composed by Felix Mendelssohn and features an array of colorful costumes and sets designed by the legendary artist David Hockney. The production is divided into two parts: an overture which lasts about 15 minutes followed by a performance that lasts around 75 minutes.

Britten’s version premiered in 1960 and has also become one of the most famous productions. Its score, composed by Britten himself, combines traditional English folk songs with classical music.

The choreography for this production was created by Sir Frederick Ashton and features a mix of classical ballet steps with some more modern elements. This version typically lasts between 90 minutes to 2 hours depending on the length of the intermission.

The Royal Ballet performed a new interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2015 that was choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon to Mendelssohn’s original score. This version includes some unique elements such as projections on stage as well as contemporary set design which gives it a modern twist while still staying true to its roots. This production typically lasts around 2 hours including intermission time.

Conclusion: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Ballet can vary in length depending on the interpretation but typically runs between 90 minutes and 2 1/2 hours including intermission time. From George Balanchine to Christopher Wheeldon, each choreographer has brought their own unique vision to this classic play creating multiple memorable productions over the years.