These photographs from behind the scenes on Sir Peter Hall’s 1968 film of A Midsummer Night’s Dream were taken by David Farrell. He was lucky enough to see Judi Dench, Diana Rigg, Helen Mirren when they were not yet Grandes Dames of the acting world. Filmed on location at Compton Verney, an 18th-century pile near Kineton, Warwickshire, the pictures form part of the venue’s Shakespeare in Art: Tempests, Tyrants and Tragedy exhibition, marking 400 years of the bard’s death. Seeing the sultry Mirren, elegant Rigg and saucy Dench in their gossamer frocks could turn even the most reluctant of us onto Shakespeare. There’s more than one Bottom in this version:
Donal Eccles as Starveling,
Dame Judi Dench as Titania and Paul Rogers as Bottom in the grounds at Compton Verney between takes, 1968. Photograph by David Farrell, courtesy of the David Farrell Estate (c) DFP
Dame Judi Dench as Titania with Paul Rogers as Bottom, playing mistaken lovers, 1968. Photograph by David Farrell, courtesy of the David Farrell Estate (c) DFP
Dame Diana Rigg as Helena and Dame Helen Mirren as Hermia, 1968. Photograph by David Farrell, courtesy of the David Farrell Estate (c) DFP
Judi Dench as Titania. Photo: David Farrell
Dreamland Judi Dench as Titania with Paul Rogers as Bottom. Photo: David Farrell
Diana Rigg as Helena, by David Farrell
Dame Judi Dench as Titiana and Paul Rogers as Bottom in the grounds at Compton Verney between takes, 1968. Photograph by David Farrell, courtesy of the David Farrell Estate (c) DFP
Fans of the three muses can see more them – much more (be warned) – here, here and here.
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