A Midsummer Night's Dream

Once again this group of young talented actors brought us their version of one of Shakespeare’s well known comedies – mixing the Bard’s wonderful dialogue with music and dance. The marriage of the Duke of Athens and the Queen of the Amazons was set in the present time and treated as any current royal wedding including live TV news coverage. Costuming for this section was in striking black and white. The section set in the forest with the King and Queen of the Fairies was dressed in a more colourful manner with the set decorated with fairy lights and the costumes reminiscent of the hippy 1960s. Joe Simpson was excellent in the joint roles of Theseus, Duke of Athens and Oberon, King of the Fairies as was Rosalind Watt in the roles of Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons and Titania, Queen of the Fairies. Rosalind in particular commanded the stage with an impressively regal manner. Imogen Watt as Philostrate, Theseus’s Master of the Revels and as Puck, Oberon’s Lieutenant gave another excellent performance making the most of the fun-loving, mischievous Puck character. Strong performances too were given by the four star-crossed lovers – Lysander (Aaron Bisset), Hermia (Abbie Faskin), Demetrius (Reuben Gedge) and Helena (Elizabeth Smith). The Mechanicals were also strong - played as schoolboys and girls (complete with grey shorts and gymslips) – Quince (Archie Whyte), Flute (Josh Simpson), Starveling (Josie McLeod), Snout (Erin Stark), Snug (Fatima Jawara) and last but not least Bottom (Paul Patterson). Paul’s delivery of his lines and facial expressions had the audience in stitches from his first appearance. Strong support was given by Euan Reid as Egius, father to Hermia. A special mention must be made of young Isla Kinnaird who captured the audience’s heart as the petite Changeling Child. Singing and movement of the whole company was of a very high standard as has become expected of these hardworking and enthusiastic youngsters. Thank you for a most entertaining evening.

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