In 2002, after a range of abodes one finds oneself in as a touring actor, I decided to resettle myself back in the area of Consett where I was born. People here will know me by my real name, Michelle Parker, but because of Equity regulations I couldn't keep my name so changed it to Shelley O'Brien. I bought a house at the bottom of the Consett and Blackhill Heritage Park just after The Park was restored to its original design.

It was my mam and dad who pointed out that an open-air theatre platform had been created in the park and from this my idea sprang to put on a play there. Also it was a great opportunity to give something back to the community that I am part of and to increase opportunities for artists in the region who had given me similar opportunities in the past.

I set up Mad Alice Theatre Company to make this happen, and, thanks to a lot of support and encouragement from family and friends it happened.

I chose A Midsummer Night’s Dream as I felt it was one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies, and accessible to young and old. And because, quite frankly, I liked it.

I wanted to make the play as personal to Consett as possible. The history of the Park and the town lent itself extremely well to this. Plus, the director told me to find a context, so, it solved that problem as well!!

As everybody from Consett knows, Consett only existed because of the steelworks. Almost everybody still living there today has some relation who worked there. My dad worked there, my granddad worked there. In the early 1800’s, before traces of iron ore were found here, Consett was but a wilderness. The Consett Iron Company had to create a town for it’s influx of workers, and indeed it had to find the workers. Men came from all over England and from Ireland, and the town grew.

In 1891 The Consett Iron Company gifted The Consett & Blackhill Park to the Steelworkers and the people of Consett. for relaxation and leisure. Contended workers were good workers!
Our Midsummer Night’s Dream was set in 1891 on the official opening day of the park. We imagined a group of steel workers and associates performing the play to celebrate the opening of the park. Not necessarily historically true but was a huge success and enjoyed by all!

Shelley O’Brien, Producer / Actress Mad Alice Theatre Company.

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