A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Presented by

C.A.T.S.

Ever seeking to find new avenues of innovation in bringing theatrical entertainment to the people of Cheadle and surrounding areas C.A.T.S. have sought out, and sourced very well, a suitable outdoor venue.

They, created a really welcoming atmosphere to one and all on an almost perfect summers evening on which to weave the magic of Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Nights Dream”.

The plot focuses on three parallel stories: the trials and tribulations of two sets of lovers, of their love and its many complications. Set in a magical forest, the world of the Fairy King and Queen and their elves, also in the mix, a group of rough craftsman attempting to stage a production of “Pyramus and Thisbe” for the forthcoming nuptials of the Duke of Athens Theseus.

Theseus – Andrew Farrington, obviously well steeped in Shakespearean ethos, brought real gravitas to the proceedings.

The suitors, Lysander and Demetrius played the hatred of one another's rivalry for the love for Hermia with a blatant loathing, both well observed without going over the top.

Hermia – Megan Hermolle, is in love with Lysander – Ben Cleaver,. However, her father wants her to marry Demetrius. – Rich Gilbert. To escape the arranged marriage, she and Lysander elope into the woods. Demetrius follows them, pursued by the infatuated Helena – Charlie Brown, who nurses an unrequited passion for him.

A love quadrangle develops among the young lovers after the well cast anarchic Puck - Miriam Hermolle, plays Cupid at the behest of Oberon.

Meanwhile, a group of craftsmen/amateur actors rehearses a badly written play in the woods, and soon all find their lives changed by the intrigues of Oberon and Titania, the warring king and queen of the fairies. Magic, action, love and humour are the ingredients for this unforgettable spell.

Bewitched by Oberon's magic delivered in error to the wrong man by the hand of the mischievous Puck, all manner of romantic mayhem is unleashed. Helena, suddenly confronted by two suitors declaring undying love for her feels she is the butt of some hideous jest, concocted at the hands of her friend Hermia, abetted by Lysander and Demetrius which fuels her with conflicts between best friend and the man she loves.

Dan Ede Smith's directorial debut came with a big tick. The whole production had a air of the ethereal about it. The minimalist staging, with few props, worked particularly well in the round, bringing the cast into the audience seating was also a goodly move, adding a further intimacy to the proceedings.

Costumes on the whole were excellent, I particularly liked the Goth fairies and elves, a very well thought out styling. Lighting and sound, though relatively simplistic were as much as was required in this theatre in the round production, they complemented the style of the production perfectly.

I must mention Bottom – Jason Greenwood, who brought a lot of the humour to the fore, his interplay with the exasperated Quince and his fellow thespians worked well.

I enjoyed the darkness and other worldliness relationship of Oberon - Sam Stephens and Titania- Rebekah Snow and their ensemble, the surface tension between the two groups was palpable, whilst subtly hinting at the hidden desire and underlying passion between their leaders.

All of the cast, in particular the younger members, grasped the essence and delivery of the writer's humorously woven script, not an easy thing in itself, being of a far different time, as would today's language being spoken back in the 16th century no doubt .

This was an excellent production, well presented in a lovely atmospheric setting, I hope they repeat the venture again sometime.

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.