Directing the SOL Dream (75 to 95 minutes)
A lot of biz can seriously lengthen the Dream; I encourage directors to play it straight, clear and fast. That is where the large laughs lurk.
Casting
The play actually boasts lots of female roles, and a few good possibilities for female interpretations. Besides, Hippolyta, Titania, Hermia, Helena, First Fairy, Moth Peaseblossom, Cobweb and Mustardseed likely being female; Puck, Peter Quince and Starvelling can also easily be played female. In a pinch, Snug, Philostrate and even Egeus can withstand a gender bend and stay true to the Bard.
Someday I will do the play with a very large Helena, a squat Hermia and two geeky nerds for the boys. They all must be quite unnatractive. There is a reason Theseus wants them wed. Love is also in the eye of the beholder. Ugly people also love as passionately as attractive ones do. I have never seen this casting attempted although both girls are descibed so in the text (ugly as a bear!) I'm feel certain that such casting, played straight, would distress an audience through deep, deep laughter.
I believe Bottom is the finest comic role over written. It is a truly joyful role to play!
THESEUS Duke of Athens
HIPPOLYTA Queen of the Amazons, betrothed to Theseus
EGEUS Father of Hermia
PHILOSTRATE Master of the Revels to Theseus
HERMIA Daughter of Egeus, in love with Lysander
HELENA In love with Demetrius
LYSANDER In love with Hermia
DEMETRIUS Suitor to Hermia, loved by Helena
PETER QUINCE A carpenter - Prologue in the interlude
NICK BOTTOM A weaver - Pyramus in the interlude
FRANCIS FLUTE A bellows mender - Thisby in the interlude
SNUG A joiner - Lion in the interlude
TOM SNOUT A tinker - Wall in interlude
ROBIN STARVELLING A tailor - Moonshine in the interlude
TITANIA Queen of the fairies
OBERON King of the fairies
PUCK Robin Goodfellow; Oberon's right-hand fairy
FAIRY Titania's 1st in command
MOTH Fairy in Titania's band
PEASEBLOSSOM Fairy in Titania's band
COBWEB Fairy in Titania's band
MUSTARDSEED Fairy in Titania's band