A Midsummer Night's Dream The Mermaid, Rye

Shakespeare's most popular comedy contains a world of magic, music and mayhem. Find yourself among trick-some fairies, enchanted lovers and ass-headed 'rude mechanicals' as Shakespeare's magical romantic comedy is performed in beautiful rhyming verse. 

Bowler Crab became the official resident theatre company of The Mermaid Inn in 2017. The Rye based 600 year old inn (known for having Shakespeare’s company visit them in 1597) today hosts Bowler Crab’s performances year round. as our most popular indoor venue.

Following sold-out shows in 2022, by popular demand Bowler Crab are back with A Midsummer Night's Dream in 2023! First touring the Dream in 2013, BC are celebrating ten years performing Shakespeare alongside the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's 1623 First Folio (the first publishing of his complete works).

Based in East Sussex, Bowler Crab are a small independent theatre company that specialise in Shakespearean performances, casting actors from The National Theatre, BBC, The Globe, ITV, Channel 4 and film. With frequent haunts around the 1066 area, Bowler Crab also produce UK tours as well as repertoire performances for schools, festivals, dining experiences, weddings and private events. ​The company was founded in 2013 by Artistic Director Stephen John, with a company goal to complete the Shakespearean canon across a fifty year plan.