Enchantrix theater company stages a Shakespeare comedy at three magical outdoor locations.

Prepare for pure magic in the forest. The young theatrical group Enchantrix is back in action, this time with William Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. And the group came up with a perfect setting for the play. Or three, rather – Elkhorn Slough Reserve, Jacks Peak Park and surrounded by redwoods at Henry Miller Library.

The play has three plot layers, all based in Athens. It starts with the wedding of Theseus and the queen Hippolyta (Samantha Wishnak), but soon moves into the sphere of the unreal: the court of mischievous fairies, who have their own ideas about how lives of mortals should unfold. Sean Aten, director and head of Enchantrix takes on the roles of duke Theseus and Oberon, king of the fairies. Then, we have a group of amateur actors, simple manual workers excited to present their play to the duke and his bride. All is set in the middle of the forest, with simple yet effective costumes.

Scary and magical Philostrate (charming Cody Moore) opens the play, inviting the audience for a treat. And a treat it is, even though the Enchantrix crew – just as in the play – are not professional actors. They bring a natural enthusiasm to the stage.

The fairies possess – and are not afraid to use – “flowers of love” that change people’s feelings as if touched by a magic wand. This power causes both drama, as well as a happy ending. Couples from the duke’s court struggle with their-ever changing feelings. Oberon’s wife, Titania, falls in love with one of the Athenian wannabe actors, Nick Bottom (Brian Sheffield), magically transformed into a donkey.

Speaking of the amateur actors within the play, this is where the genius of the play lies. Shakespeare makes fun of himself and his actors by showing us all hysterical problems actors and theatrical directors encounter. Moreover, the court audience – the duke and others – make malicious remarks about the acting skills of the performance. That gives the play, written in 1595-96, a meta level that could be interpreted as postmodern.

Bring a jacket and warm scarf, just in case, and enjoy the chirping of birds.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream 1pm Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 3-4 at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. 1pm

Saturday-Sunday, Aug 10-11 at Jacks Peaks Park (east picnic area), 25020 Jacks Peak Park Road, Monterey.

1pm Saturday, Aug. 17 at Henry Miller Memorial Library, 48603 Highway 1, Big Sur.

Free. enchantrix.net.