A Midsummer Nights Dream

The Royal Shakespeare Company are celebrating the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare’s death in many ways. A Midsummer Nights Dream, “ A Play for the Nation” is an initiative which sees the company of 18 professional actors working alongside amateur actors who play “The Rude Mechanicals” together with local school children who play Titania’s Fairy Train. 12 regions of the U.K. are currently involved with this innovative idea.  Poulton Drama members, after gruelling auditions, were chosen to take part at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Congratulations to the six actors who rose to this difficult challenge of integrating with the professional cast. We the audience were delighted to see that the so called dividing line between the Amateur and Professional was non-existent.

The Mechanicals led by Anthony Henry as Bottom Hugh Rose as Tinker, Cathy Lloyd as Quince, Roger Lloyd – Jones as Starveling, Ian Rowe as Snug and Gary Houghton as Flute showed their experience, talent and excellent comic timing especially in their performance of  Pyramus and Thisbe. Shakespeare had written this play as a comical, satirical exercise for an amateur company of tradespeople. Philostrate speaks of “ Hard – handed men that work in Athens here which never laboured  in their minds till now”.

The members of Poulton Drama brought out every aspect of their characters to give us “ a play within a play” to remember.Anthony Henry as Bottom the Weaver was outstanding and his rapport with  Ayesha Dharker as Titania, Queen of Fairies was a triumph.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        I will pause with my review to quote a piece from “ The Stage Newspaper” which is very relevant.     “Amateur  theatre has a quaint and outdated image  and that connotation laden moniker “AmDram” sums it up. There is some fine work going on in many of these companies and a great deal of collaborative learning so it’s a real training environment, not least because the boundaries between amateur and professional have become blurred in recent years. Lets just remember that at base the only real difference is that amateurs do it, literally for the love of it and professionals are paid- or should be. I prefer to refer to it as a non-commercial theatre, actually.” SUSAN ELKIN.

The R.S.C. had decided to set this production in the 20th Century with appropriate costumes based on the 1940’s. Traditionalists may well prefer the original but this production, directed by Erica Whyman brought a new vibrancy and vitality to the stage. It was encouraging to see a wide variety of age groups enjoying the performance and I am sure that will help to raise the awareness of Shakespeare’s text.

The children from Larkholme Primary School, Fleetwood would have gained valuable dramatic experience and insight into The Bard’s works.

Although I obviously wish to emphasize the part played by Poulton Drama in this review I must congratulate the talented professional cast who gave us all a lesson in how this particular genre should be played. Acting was excellent and all had immaculate diction.

Lucy Ellinson as Puck or capricious Robin Goodfellow, gave an outstanding performance. She commanded the stage and moved effortlessly around the playing area, keeping the audience hanging on her every word.  A “Tour de Force”.  Chu Omambala as Oberon, King of  Fairies gave a physical, powerful performance and Ayesha Dharker as Queen of Fairies gave a beautiful interpretation of this iconic role.

With a very effective minimal set, excellent musicians and a splendid performance by all concerned this was an evening to remember. Poulton Drama and the children from Larkholme Primary School must be thrilled to have been a part of this very special production.

I am very proud that this quality of performance is being displayed by one of my companies in District 2 and I must congratulate Tony Stone, Director for his role in ensuring that members of his company were such an integral part of this splendid evening. Thank you, once again, for your very warm welcome and hospitality.

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