A Midsummer Night's Dream

The Emerald Dell that is St Margaret’s Church yard prepared us well for what proved be a wonderful flight of fancy. Jade Flack, the Director, had armed her cast with all the right ingredients to cast a heart-warming spell on this magical Thursday evening.

Jake Szuplewki was well cast as Theseus/Oberon. Smart, a disarming, roughish smile was a commanding presence.  A man/fairy who oozed entitlement. Jade Flack playing Hippolyta/Titania convinced us that she had the measure of her man … we need only sit back, relax and watch her work her magic. Lover’s all – driven by hormones – Adham Devenny’s Demetrius; James Daniels’ – Lysander – together with Hannah Etheridge’s Hermia and Emma Gwynne’s Helena – all manipulated by those evening forces, were so pleasing to watch. Pretty, handsome, funny, sad, smart and so believable.  Loved the costumes.

Leanne Lines was ideal for Puck – constant as a smart, naughty sprite, pivotal to the action.Ynaqui Tuasson-Inocian filled the stage, and our senses, with the character of Bottom. He was exactly how I had imagined ‘Bottom’ when I was introduced to him at school.  An overwhelming presence that you just had to watch and hope he hadn’t noticed you… Super job.

And special congratulations to the village players; fairies...Katie Dale; Barnaby Lockyer, Adham Devenny, Hannah Etheridge, Emma Gwynne and Nick Surridge, Victoria Bradshaw and Claire Watson. Each and everyone of you worked fiercely to complete the magic. You never flagged - it was great to see the energy. You were all relaxed and totally committed. And your audience smiled all the way home.

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