Summary

Scene One begins with the final moments of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, accompanied by the music created for the play by composer Felix Mendelssohn. There is a scurrying dance of fairies, and then Tom steps out of the group of dancers and speaks the Epilogue, spoken in the original play by the character of Puck. Tom / Puck speaks of asking forgiveness from the audience if the play has offended them, asking them to think of the play as a dream. When he is finished, there is more dancing, and an awkward curtain call.

After the curtains close, a teacher – Roy – steps forward and speaks to the audience. He refers to the actors as “a lot of little Chips Rafferties,” (4), and then thanks several parents and teachers for their contributions to the performance. He particularly thanks the teacher responsible...