Hello, my name's Tim.
Today's story is set in ancient Greece.
It's a tale of lovers, fairies, and amateur actors, and it all takes place in a magical wood on Midsummer's night.
We begin in Athens, where Duke Theseus is preparing to marry Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons.
They're interrupted by Igeus, who complains that his daughter, Hermia, is playing up.
She refuses to marry Demetrius, the man Igeus has chosen for her, because she is in love with Lysander.
Theseus declares that Hermia must play ball, and marry Demetrius, or else.
Lysander tells Hermia that if they play their cards right,
they can escape together by travelling through the nearby woods.
Hermia tells this secret to her friend Helena, who is in love with Demetrius.
Turns out Demetrius has been playing the field.
He used to fancy Helena, but now prefers Hermia.
Determined to win him back, Helena tells Demetrius about the eloping lovers.
Big mistake.
Demetrius rushes off in pursuit, and Helena follows in desperation.
Meanwhile, some manual workers, or mechanicals, are preparing some amateur dramatics, the tragedy of Pyramus and Thisby.
Ambitious.
Their lead actor, Nick Bottom, wants to play all the parts, but eventually settles for Pyramus.
They agree to meet later to rehearse.
Where?