A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

What a delightful Shakespeare play to perform in the open, on a beautiful night, birdcalls and the occasional more strident noises only served to make this a charming evening.

The Director is renowned for her slightly different take on Shakespeare’s plays, and this was no different, based loosely in Victorian times, but using the words of the original, I was very taken with the overall feel of the piece.  I was aware that there had been problems with some original cast members having to drop out for various reasons, but this did not affect the feeling of a cohesive cast.  I thought Act 1 was slightly slow, but Act 2 picked up the pace and enthusiasm tremendously.

The setting spoke for itself, with few and appropriate props, with lighting only needed for the very final scenes, which was lovely.  The cast all projected well, and costumes were both imaginative and colourful, my only small problem was that I was afraid Lysander was going to lose his trousers in several places – braces would have solved the problem!  I loved Titania, Peaseblossom and Mustard Seed’s costumes, very different.

Dan Shirley (Theseus) and Jo Micallef (Hippolyta) created a more restrained but well-clothed pairing, loved Hippolyta’s dresses, they played well off each other, her slightly disdainful and he very much in charge.

David Martin (Egeus) brought his own brand of dourness and depth to the role, trying to insist that Melissa Carr (Hermia) marry his choice of suitor, rather than the man she loves!  I thought Hermia gave us a light but determined young lady, who definitely wanted her own way!

Tarik Abbas (Lysander) was suave and also determined that Hermia was his lady of choice, nicely conveyed, with some good repartee between him and Nate Chatterley (Demetrius) who was the choice of suitor for Egeus, good fight scenes too.  I was impressed with Nate’s command of the language and his delivery for a younger man.  Rebekka Sandwell (Helena) as the final piece of the quartet, gave an accomplished performance showing her feelings for Demtrius, Hermia and Helena also showed their feelings for each other well!  The eventual coming together of couples in the correct order despite Puck’s intervention was well-accomplished.

John Stone (Oberon) gave the part the solemnity but roguish side fitting a Fairy King, with Emma Brown (Titiana) giving us an excellent portrayal in her reactions to both Oberon and Bottom, she brought the character to life.  Shelley Healy (Peaseblossom) and Jo Micallef (Mustard Seed) supported Titania well, and were suitably fairy-like.

The “Mechanicals” -  Roy Bookham (Nick Bottom), Anne Hollis (Peter Quince), Paul Murphy (Francis Flute), Shelley Healy (Snug), Manjit Rostom (Starveling) and Graeme Shaw (Snout), made a good group acting their play, they were amusing and interesting.  I was particularly taken with Bottom’s “ass” – and the way he flung himself around the stage with abandon, very well done.

Sally Ripley (Robin Goodfellow) was very expressive, her outfit and cap were imaginative and she got the mischievousness of the character without overdoing it – her face was expressive throughout, even when she was not the centre of the action.

My thanks to Elaine for being a very attentive host, and good to have an insight from the Director into the production – a charming evening’s entertainment.

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