A Midsummer Night Re-DReamed

This Promenade play was being presented as part of the Ribfest Celebrations this week.

We met outside the Ribchester Arms and we then promenaded to SS Peter and Paul Parish Centre and then onto the beautiful gardens there.

Last year the performance was delivered in the pouring rain and I am pleased to say that this year it was dry and sunhats and suncream were needed.

The delightful innovative and imaginative script written by the talented R.A.T.S. member Bridget Rabbitts kept us fascinated and enthralled throughout the Production. Rebecca Parkinson had written some additional material and the whole performance was Directed by Bridget Rabbitts and the experienced Viki Mason who was also Producer.

Congratulations to the young cast in coping with the very complex script, which moved from the present day into the past and they took on board some of William Shakespeare’s intricate language.

The performance opened with a group of ladies discussing living in Ribchester and not being surprised at seeing unusual characters and experiencing out of the ordinary happenings. We were told that a number of odd socks were to be found hanging on the nearby hedge and as we followed the trail we were confronted by two children in school uniform. Harry, James Talbot and his sister Alice, Olivia Walker were very convincing as an argumentative brother and sister. Harry was wearing odd socks and his sister was remonstrating with him when they strayed into a fairy-ring, entering into The Other Realm, conjuring up Puck (Robin Goodfellow) and his helpers, who were performing their favourite play.

There was some lovely dancing accompanied on the flute by Rachel Billington and the little Sprites were obviously enjoying their involvement dressed in some beautiful colourful and creative costumes, reflecting the fanciful characters.

Suddenly a group of local actors who were rehearsing William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night Dream erupted onto the idyllic scene.

The Characters from the two Realms were immediately at odds with each other, much to the delight of the audience members.

The entire cast worked so well together and encapsulated the Shakesperian atmosphere and when the characters returned to the Earthly Realm the mystery of the missing socks was revealed.

It is more difficult to be heard when outdoors and occasionally some of the younger members needed more projection but this, in no way, spoiled our enjoyment, of yet another success by this talented company.

 

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