A Midsummer Night's Dream

What would happen when Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy was transported to a contemporary Grecian setting featuring a bustling taverna with a lively Mediterranean atmosphere? The answer is Sleaford Little Theatre Youth’s imaginative production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Under the direction of Maria Bates with choreography and co-direction by Molly Backhouse, Shakespeare’s classic is transformed into a vibrant comedy with Mama Mia! vibes, all set against an infectious Zorba the Greek inspired soundtrack. 

Before a single word is spoken, the energetic ensemble enters rave dancing enthusiastically, then through the back doors our principal cast enters. The lovers appear first Hermia (Ava E) and Lysander (Harry M) both dressed in shades of green, followed by a sullen Demetrius (Louise H) and hotly pursued by Helena (Beth M) in matching purple. Tensions are obvious as Demetrius shows his frustration and jealousy making his feelings known to his love rival Lysander through pushing and shoving and angry looks. 

One of the productions highlights was the choreographed and ingeniously executed piece of physical theatre showing comic timing and comedy, as the staff hilariously transform the stage into a lively Greek taverna with tables, chairs, tablecloths glasses and bowls of fruit. The Head Waiter (Abigail B) then gave us a well delivered resume of events.  

The Duke Theseus (Charlotte P) appears with his bride-to-be Hippolyta (Kaleisha L R) accompanied by a disgruntled Egeus (Joshua F who also impressively played the keyboards during some scenes.)  Egeus had promised his daughter Hermia’s hand in marriage to Demetrius, but she was in love with Lysander. Egeus insists that she marry his choice of suitor or face dire consequences.  Throughout the proceedings Titania Queen of The Fairies (Finabi H) had slipped in unnoticed and was observing the mortals with cool disinterest. 

Comic relief was provided by a troupe of amateur actors:  Peter Quince (Anna H) Bottom (Sophia M), Snug (Willow H), Flute (Georgina R), Bethany B as Starvelling and Snout (Oscar T) who provide another dose of humour as they prepare to rehearse for their performance of Pyramus and Thisbe arguing over their assigned roles. 

Finally, we meet the fairies and now we realise we have seen them all along as taverna waiting staff.  The fairies (Eliza H and Eve H) were accompanied by Moth (Caleb B), Peaseblossom (Emily M), Mustardseed (Eliza R), Cobweb (Jack T) and of course the mischievous Puck which was a role shared by Matthew W S and Chloe M. 

Tensions are brewing in fairyland as Titania and husband Oberon (Ren B) are having serious marital issues which prompts a disgruntled Oberon to play a cruel trick on her; with her eyes smeared with magical flowers she would fall instantly in love with the very first creature she saw on awakening.

The lovers Lysander and Hermia flee to the forest to escape her father Egeus’ judgement and Helena and Demetrius follow on.  So, the stage is set for Shakespeare’s trademark comedy of errors as the Pucks play tricks on the unsuspecting lovers and Bottom becomes the object of Titania’s enchanted affections. 

This is very much an ensemble production with every cast member contributing with enthusiasm and pure delight creating a spellbinding piece of theatre magic. 

Ava gave an engaging performance as Hermia’s using expressive body language and facial expressions which perfectly matched her changing emotional journey.  Particularly effective was the scene where, rejected by Lysander, she reacts with an explosion of anger and jealousy directed towards Helena.  Beth played the lovelorn Helena willing to endure humiliation, literally clinging to Demetrius in the hope of winning his affections. Following the fairy enchantment however, Helena develops into a far more confident young woman who refuses to be manipulated, culminating in her showdown with the now infuriated and fiercely jealous Hermia.

Louise portrayed Demetrius with simmering resentment, fists clenched, permanently scowling ready for a showdown with Lysander over Demetrius’ obsession with Hermia.  Her character was incredibly heartless to poor Helena cruelly rejecting her affections. His equally unrequited love for Hermia was very believable and his verbal sparring with Lysander came across well. Harry was charming as the devoted Lysander transforming into a dismissive suitor turning on Hermia with scornful and arrogant loathing. Their duel with inflatable ice creams orchestrated by the gleeful Pucks provided one of the productions funniest moments. 

Finabi played the mercurial Titania beautifully, showing her bitter anger at her husband then her imperious control of the fairy minions shouting instructions at them with a fiery temper. She was hilarious as she seduced Bottom becoming coquettish and flirtatious and her singing voice added another level to her character.  Ren delivered a powerful performance as her husband Oberon, who took mischievous delight in tricking Titania but showed genuine remorse when he saw the results of his trickery. Ren worked well with the Pucks being quick to show his anger when they mistreated the mortals. 

Sophie gave an excellent comic performance as Bottom bringing an enormous ego carried out with infectious enthusiasm which resulted in a hilarious interpretation. She pushed herself forward for every role shamefully undermining poor Quince and becoming very prickly when he dared to correct her. The scenes with Titania were wonderfully performed especially his mistreatment of the fairies by making ever more extravagant demands.

The Pucks were a fantastic dynamic duo playing off each other with great comic timing bringing a sense of mischief to the whole proceedings. Chloe was whirlwind of energy bouncing around the set embracing her character with gusto pulling faces mischievously behind Oberon’s back.  Matthew was more laid back and the straight man to Chloe’s mania as he desperately tried to get a word in punctuating sentences until he shouted ‘arse’ loudly provoking lots of laughter.  The pair worked wonderfully together freezing the action and playing tricks. An obvious highlight was the duel as they gleefully placed inflatables into the hands of the bewildered Lysander and Demetrius. 

Special mention should go to Eliza H in the dual role as taverna staff and Fairy 1. Eliza had excellent comic timing while setting up the taverna and performed the ‘cup song’ featured in the film Pitch Perfect. She was always in character and along with her co performer Eve as Fairy 2 created a sassy partnership.   Also, to Willow and Georgina who treated us to a rendition of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet together with Bethany B as the nurse. 

Costumes were modern and in keeping with the Greek holiday theme, for example the Pucks wore matching brightly coloured beach shirts and the mortals dressed in modern holiday attire.  I liked the choice of colour coding the lovers clothing and the use of dungarees for the actors. The waiting staff wore white shirts and back aprons which were then switched to flowery cumber bunds. The fairies wore matching dresses with green transparent wings and floral headdresses. Titania’s elegant long pink silk gown and Oberon’s cloak made of dark green leaves effectively reflected their royal status. Props were used very effectively with a step ladder acting as a balcony and of course the inflatables. 

The set perfectly matched the Greek taverna theme with whitewashed walls and painted frescos featuring vines and bunches of grapes. Callum Thursby’s lighting design was used effectively with varying colour changes to reflect each scene change and the rotating glitter ball which filled the theatre with twinkling fairy magic. Joanne Moules’ sound design added atmosphere with a lively Greek themed soundtrack and the soundscape provided an atmospheric dreamy woodland backdrop. 

Congratulations must go to Maria Bates for her witty adaptation of this classical comedy brought to colourful life by the academy. Well done also to everyone working hard behind the scenes including Amanda Grant, stage manager, ensuring everything ran smoothly and of course the volunteer chaperones allowing the young performers to take part.

Thank you Maria and Amanda for our warm welcome and the added privilege of seeing the cast after the performance. 

 

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