A Wymsical Dream of Midsummer

Another completely different programme from Wymsical Theatre, involving all ages in the group, concentrated on Shakespeare related songs from musical theatre and beyond; monologues, scenes and sketches plus a musical telling of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.

The opening number was of course ‘Another Openin’, Another Show’ including tap break and this moved into the first of seven scenes dispersed throughout the concert of ‘A Midsummer’s Night Dream’, with the young fairies singing a fun number ‘What a Lovely Midsummer Day’. I’d like to cover all of these scenes by saying that although I did not hear every word, I fully admired how the very youngest of them tackled the lengthy dialogue and how forward looking it was to open their eyes to this play by Shakespeare, clearly not overawed and grasping the themes of romantic encounters and subsequent confusions.  Scene 6 with ‘Love Rectangle’ when the characters are squabbling was very funny.

Sylvie Symons and Ellie Morris spoke up well with ‘Introduction To The First Folio’, without which when published in 1623 by a local man John Heminge, many of Shakespeare’s plays may have been lost. Evie Gwillam also spoke Sonnet 18 well too. In ‘The Montagues & Capulets’, Linus Hughes displayed his talent for piano, whilst Beth Lawson led her first of several strong numbers, others including ‘This Can’t be Love’ with Max Price and the final number of the evening ‘Puck’s Farewell’.

Meanwhile Clara Davies sang ‘Somewhere’ from West Side Story well and Katy Campbell – Ferguson and Mimi Groves did justice to  a piece from ‘As You Like It’ as Rosalind and Orsino. There was a  nicely choreographed piece in ‘Summer’ from Perchance to Dream and this was followed by possibly the strongest number in Part 1, with Cameron Morris leading the Company with  ‘Larger than Life and Juliet’. Part 1 closed well with the Company singing ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love with You’.

Part 2 opened with the Company clearly enjoying themselves with ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You’ with some very nice harmony. ‘Serenade To Music’ (Merchant of Venice) accompanied by Zoe Davies on violin, in addition to Stephen on piano, was lengthy but handled well. Ellie and Cameron as  Heminge and Shakespeare, provided some amusing exchanges in a sketch entitled ‘A Small Rewrite’ and Phoebe McIntosh provided an expressive ‘Soliloquy’. Lucy Allsop, Ellie and company sang a very strong ‘Shadowland’ and guest Claire Jeffries projected a clear Sonnet 138.

Sylvie led the company with ‘Teenager In Love’ – a fun number, and Sylvie and Cameron were very well spoken with ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Prior to ‘Puck’s Farewell’ mentioned earlier, Linus returned with Phoebe to lead a strong ‘A Musical - Something Rotten’.

To the credit of all the cast, a simple open set with just a star cloth and minimal props was all that was necessary and full credit should also go those responsible for a beautiful set of costumes, all appreciated by a full house. 

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