The show goes on despite midsummer night’s deluge

The six-strong company from the American Drama Group Europe have been performing Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in outdoor castle venues since April.

But their first performance in Guernsey faced a number of challenges.

As well as a persistent rain and gusting winds, the actors on Monday had to deal with a fault with the speakers that stopped the performance for 10 minutes and the wind sweeping a vital flower prop out of an actor’s hand.

And cast member Dan Cavendish, who was playing multiple parts including Oberon, also had to cope with a gull pooping on him during a vital speech.

‘That was a first for me, definitely never been defecated on before by an audience member, which I guess the seagull was,’ he said.

‘But you just have to take it in your stride and ask what your character would do.’

Another challenge for the actors was the sopping wet stage, which was afloat with rain during the performance.

The nature of play and the minimal props in this production meant that actors were often having to lie in the puddles and pretend to sleep, wearing just light summer costumes.

But there was barely a shiver in the professionals’ performance.

Although some of the audience left early, about 40 islanders stuck it out to watch the full performance, armed with waterproofs, umbrellas and waterproof blankets.

Mr Cavendish said the Guernsey audience had been 100% on their side.

‘They were great and stayed with us,’ he said.

‘Luckily the weather looks far better for Tuesday’s performance.’

And he had this advice for any lovers of outdoor theatre.

‘Expect the worst,’ he said.

‘If the weather looks bad, wrap and cover everything but try and get to the front.

‘Often what people complain about most is not being to hear over the sound of the wind and the patter of the rain.’

While it was a challenge, Mr Cavendish said that the conditions were nowhere near the worst they had faced on this tour.

‘We started with rehearsals in Munich and have then have done the west coast of China, a week in Vietnam, and then a tour of German Castles,’ said Mr Cavendish.

‘This is not the first tour I have done, but it has been the far wettest summer we have ever faced.

‘We have had thunder, lightning and even a snowstorm in northern Bavaria.

‘But we are yet to cancel a single show, although we have come close.

‘At a Swiss chateau it just came bucketing down and we had to pause for 20 minutes.’

The actors are taking the ferry to Jersey today to perform two nights at Mont Orgueil Castle before heading to the Isle of Man.