In a midsummer night in Athens, Duke Theseus and his fiancee are busy preparing their wedding. In the meantime, another couple of lovers are worrying about their love. The beautiful Hermia is in love with Lysander, but her father Egeus insists that she weds Demetrius. Egeus’ demand is supported by the Duke. Should Hermia resist she would be sentenced to death or a lifetime of chastity, according to the Athenian law. To pursue their love, Hermia and Lysander flee into the forest outside Athens.

In the forest, the King of Fairies intends to make a fool of his queen. He calls upon the shrewd spirit Puck to put a drop of love-potion on the eyelids of the sleeping queen, so that she would fall in love with the first person she sees when she wakes. Somehow, Puck gives the love potion to the wrong person, messing up the love of four young people as a result. One girl, beautiful and kind, is overjoyed for the unexpected arrival of love while the other girl, as beautiful and kind, becomes very sad. Two passionate young men decide to duel for the girl they both love, causing a succession of misunderstandings and foolish scenes. At last, the King of Fairies appears and clears up the confusion, and everyone ends up with the one they love.

The Ballets de Monte-Carlo Company

In 1985, The Ballets de Monte-Carlo Company was born thanks to H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover, who wanted to enroll in this dance tradition in Monaco. The new company was directed by Ghislaine Thesmar and Pierre Lacotte, then by Jean-Yves Esquerre.  

In 1993, H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover nominates Jean-Christophe Maillot as the head of the Monte-Carlo Ballets. Jean-Christophe Maillot creates more than 30 ballets for her, including several works which enter the repertoire of large international companies. The Ballets de Monte-Carlo Company are now in demand throughout the world thanks to the iconic works of Jean-Christophe Maillot such as Vers un pays sage (1995), Roméo et Juliette (1996), Cendrillon (1999) La Belle (2001), Le Songe (2005), Altro Canto (2006), Faust (2007) and LAC (2011). 

Furthermore, Jean-Christophe Maillot also enriches the company’s repertoire by inviting the major choreographers of our time. Among these guest choreographers are Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Shen Wei, Alonzo King, Emio Greco, Chris Haring, Marco Goecke, Lucinda Childs, William Forsythe, Jiri Kylian, Karole Armitage, Maurice Béjart and even Marie Chouinard. 

In 2000, Jean-Christophe creates the Monaco Dance Forum, an international window to dance that presents an eclectic fusion of spectacles, exhibitions, workshops and conferences, which the company regularly participates in.