Puck’s Enchanted Dream

Welcome, Athenian citizens! You surely must have heard the rave reviews from King Thesus’ court and are here to see the spectacle of Pyramus and Thisbe for yourself. Please, come this way.

Here you’ll pass the facade of the grand amphitheater. Please, don’t mind the overgrowth; the fairies prefer it this way. If you hear the occasional giggle or whisper, or see a twinkling light or a rustle in the bushes, do not be afraid. We promise the fairy folk are only here to enjoy the play alongside you.

Once you enter through the theater’s arches, you are seated in the theatron. Be sure to place a vine across your lap; this signals to the fairies you are a kindred spirit.

After all of you take your seats, the evening's entertainment will begin. The players start the opening act of Pyramus and Thisbe, praised for its comedic genius and awkward realism. But wait, what could that twinkling be? Why, that is none other than Robin Goodfellow, Puck himself, here to cause havoc during your ordinary evening out. Oh goodness, it seems as though he is sprinkling his magic all across the stage! This can only mean trouble. The actors seem to be affected, as some have run off stage towards the forests, and our poor friend Bottom once again turns into an ass!

And look! Your quiet evening at the theater is gone, as the seats break apart into groups and are now moving of their own accord. Who possesses magic strong enough to do such a thing? Why, only the fairy queen herself, Titania. One by one, each group drops in to see her at the level below. You know, it is truly special to be called to visit Titania’s fairy den.

In her lush, sweet-scented, floral fantasy, she eagerly awaits your arrival. Titania laments to you about Puck’s chaos, which she is sure is all for the sake of her husband, the formidable King Oberon. The Fairy Queen entrusts you with a quest: reverse Puck’s magic spells before love itself unravels.

And so the chase after Puck begins. You weave and zigzag through a chaotic, dark forest, following the gleeful laughs and flailing limbs of the mischievous fairy. As you both chase through the woods, you pass mismatched pairs of Athenian couples who are on their own hunts for their soulmates, and possibly even a wandering actor with the head of an ass. But Puck is always one step ahead of you, taking joy in his trickery.

However, as you approach the darkest, deepest section of the enchanted woods, moonlight hits you just in time to witness the towering, terrifying fairy king, Oberon, looming above you. He attempts to cast an enchantment to keep you from breaking his spell, but you realize that if you are able to shake him, you can resist his magic and free all those trapped by his magic. Your enchanted vehicle aids you in your attempts, and you manage to resist! The spell is broken! However, the wrath of the Fairy King is not to be underestimated, and you are dramatically pushed backwards in reverse with the force of his fury.

You quickly return to Titania, still lounging in her fairy bed, who thanks you for all your help this evening in restoring peace to both kingdoms. And with that, she sends you back to your theater seats, where you are able to catch the last words of the play you initially came here to see.

But, before you go, you hear a now familiar voice of Puck, whispering to you from whereabouts unknown:

“Perhaps… you have but slumbered here, While these visions did appear. Lord, what fools these mortals be!”