A Midsummer Nights Dream

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ – a Shakespearean comedy play performed by Southport Dramatic Club Youth Theatre on Saturday, 15th March, 2025 at Southport Little Theatre, Hoghton Street, Southport.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a comedy, fairytale, fantasy penned by ‘The Bard’ himself in about 1595 or 1596. The play, set in Athens consists of several subplots and three parallel storylines all of which revolve around the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta. One subplot involves a conflict among four Athenian lovers, another followsa group of amateur actors rehearsing a play which they are to perform before the wedding. Both groups find themselves in a forest inhabited by fairies who manipulate the humans and are engaged in their own domestic intrigue. A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's most popular and widely performed plays. Most
of the action occurs in the woodland realm of Fairyland, under the light of the moon.

The Production Team... guiding us through the trials and tribulations of this most popular of Shakespearean plays we had the ever so experienced John Coates (Director) and what a great job John made of it!  I don’t think there was any doubt that John knew exactly what he wanted from the production and from his ‘young charges’, but after reading his programme notes what did surprise him was the ‘incredible journey’ that they all went on, especially his young cast!  Their hard work and unwavering focus was magical and what started as a surprise turned to ‘pride and absolute joy’ when they all saw the end result!  John also reminisces about the growth and development he’d seen during their rehearsal periods together’ and ‘what they all achieved was far more than he or they expected’!  All I can say is....  ‘I think we all saw the fruits of their hard labours’ that evening, it was there for all to see and possibly more!  This was a production that just ‘flowed’ from start to finish... with wonderful characters created, simple musical interludes that added something to the plot... be very proud John, be very proud each and all who helped bring this to stage .... loved it!

The Cast ... we had a cast of eighteen all of whom went on this ‘journey’ that we’ve already spoken about and as soon as those lights dimmed, all looked well-rehearsed and ‘oh so ready’ to give us their all! 
The cast, in no particular order included...
Dylan Bayliss played a dual role of ‘Oberon’ ... King of the Fairies and ‘Theseus’ ... Duke of Athens
Elliot Mawdsley played ‘Robin Goodfellow Puck’ ... ‘Puck’ a mischievous fairy, sprite, or jester
Olivia Williams a dual role of ‘Titania’ ... Queen of Fairies/wife to Oberon and ‘Hippolyta’ an Amazonian Queen
Jack Smith played ‘Lysander’ ...  one of the four young lovers 
Fleur Wigmore played ‘Hermia’ ... second of the four young lovers
Joseph Ward played ‘Demetrius’ ... third of the four young lovers
Serafina Campolucci-Bordi played ‘Helena’ ... last of the four young lovers
Leo Rawsthorne played ‘Nick Bottom’ aka ‘Bottom’... weaver by day, part of the ‘merry band of players’
Oliver Dowd played ‘Egeus’ ... father of Hermia and Athenian Courtier under Duke Theseus
Nieve Maguire played ‘Quince’ ... leader of the ‘merry band of players’
Eleanor Burkert played ‘Flute’ ... a ‘bellows mender’, forced to play female role in play within play
Lily Dexter played ‘Snug’ ... a ‘joiner’, plays part of a lion in play within play
Josh Jones played ‘Snout’ a tinker... one of the rude mechanicals play within play
Jasmine Brown played ‘Starveling’ – the Tailor.
Sophie Walker played ‘Peaseblossom’ ... Head Fairy... closest to ‘Puck’
Maisie Francis played ‘Cobweb’ one of Titania’s Fairies
Sophie Goulding played ‘Moth’ another of Titania’s Fairies
Jess Jackson played ‘Mustardseed’ final one of Titania’s Fairies

I wasn’t sure that I would, but I am going to ‘stick my neck out’ and select some ‘favourite characters’, but before I do, let me just say that everyone on stage that evening should be incredibly proud of what they helped achieve! This truly was an ‘ensemble performance of note’ with everyone working hard, complimenting each other with no weak links in sight!  Around every turn, every corner there was something happening, it certainly kept the mind focused, so to you all... be very proud!   So to MY favourite’s – MY favourite characters and MY ‘favourite scenes or part scenes’ ... you’ll have your own thoughts and ideas... but these are MINE... 
First, I’d like to mention Leo Rawsthorne and his portrayal of ‘Nick Bottom’ aka ‘Bottom’.  I’m told Leo stepped into this role really late, but you would never have guessed!  He just owned this part, a natural comedian, with stage presence aplenty. His mannerisms, his characterisation was something to note... right up my street, loved by all I would suggest! PS: loved the orchestrated death, Leo wasn’t going to be rushed... be proud Leo!  Fleur Wigmore just oozed class and confidence, creating this totally believable character – Hermia. Perfect diction, wonderful stage presence, worked really well with Helena and their two suitors... be very proud Fleur!  Final character... Elliot Mawdsley’s ‘Puck’. Confident, assured, the final scene where Puck stands centre stage and delivers his testimony ... emotional, wonderful to witness, had heart, meaning, depth ... be ever so proud! I honestly could go on... but these are MY ‘Terrific Trio!  If I may, can I just highlight two scenes /part scenes I suppose...  which I just loved, loved, loved!  Helena’s rant... (Serafina Campolucci-Bordi), at her two male lovers... ‘Demetrius’ and ‘Lysander’. Serafina gave them ‘lock stock and smoking barrel’ ... loved the faces and mannerisms of the two suitors throughout and when their ego’s kicked in and they started doing ‘push ups’ ... detail/detail/detail ... perfect theatre!  Last but certainly not least, the ‘four fabulous fairies/dancers’ ... Sophie Walker, Maisie Francis, Sophie Goulding & Jess Jackson playing ‘Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth and Mustardseed’ respectively!  Not only did Sophie Walker take on the character of ‘Peaseblossom’, she was also the person responsible for setting the movement/choreography for which she should be hugely proud and congratulated. The movement was simple yet ever so effective, adding so much to their performance and the production as a whole... the ‘routine’ danced in Act 2, was danced to perfection!

Set/Tech/Staging ... simple staging was used throughout, offering access and redress points that helped this play flow ever so smoothly.  The staging consisted mainly of a ‘scaffolding construction’ with located scaffolding steps leading to second level.  Greenery/bushes were used as decoration... which worked well. Set Design was by John Coates (Director), constructed by SDC Construction Team and painted by ‘resident artist’ Bob Jessamine. Andrea Shacksmyth-Claire (Stage Manager/Lighting Design/Operator) with Sound under the ever-watchful Bernie Howat.

Costumes... were fabulous! Enhanced the production ever so much.  Keeping an eye on the wardrobe we had Eve and Brendan Gillow and Karen Greer ... outstanding wardrobe!
Props... under watchful eye of Hannah Knowles ... superb quality, used well, enhanced the production so much!

Chaperones... one of the least glamorous jobs, yet one of the most important!  Chaperones are a ‘vital cog’ in the mechanism that allows young people to perform on stage!  They are the ones who provide that safe, secure and welcoming environment that our young actors need to perform and flourish … so thanks to the SDC Chaperone Team… without you and similar wonderful people across the country, who give up their time in support of youth theatre … this, as with any other Youth Production, would not reach the stage… thank you and be proud!

Constructive Advice... ‘Spoken Word’ – this isn’t criticism, just advice that should never be forgotten... every person in the theatre needs to hear every word spoken or sang, even those on Row Z. The diction was generally good throughout and from some individuals impressive... but there were occasions, when people spoke a little too quickly without projection, which made hearing/understanding dialogue difficult. Diction/projection, in all forms of theatre is important, with Shakespeare it becomes vital. Project, speak slower, enunciate, add light and shade... hope I haven’t offended ... something we all need to always bare in mind!  

Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I, we thoroughly enjoyed our evening ... the only disappointing aspect of the evening was the audience size, which I’m told reflected the entire run!  Those that didn’t get to see this production... be assured ‘YOU MISSED A TREAT’.  Youth Theatre in District 6 is in such a ‘healthy state’... NEVER think, if you see ‘YOUTH THEATRE PRODUCTION’ mentioned that you’re set to see substandard performance ... YOU WON’T!  From what I saw that evening and what I’ve seen so many times before here at Southport Little Theatre and across all of District 6 ... Amateur Theatre is in safe hands!

Stay safe and keep well….
“Stronger Together”

Jim Briscoe
NODA North West
District 6 Rep

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