May 2, 2007
This is an admirable production. First, the subversive and irreverent writing attempts – and succeeds – to make Shakespeare accessible and relevant to all. Second, a strong ensemble company of six actors embraced the script with pace and energy. Third, a clear, simple set, good moody lighting, and uncluttered direction sold the story to us, and the substantial first night audience happily bought it; by the end of the night we were all giving Mexican waves and quoting the Bard ourselves!
We have paid to see Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream but there is a problem: most of the actors are in dispute with the management and won’t come out of The Cricketers pub. However, we’ve got two of them, and with the Deputy Stage Manager’s determination and other reluctant associated people, a cast and a performance is cobbled together. Each ‘performer’ must play multiple roles with whatever costumes they can find, and off we go for two hours of confusion, bravado, romance and fun.
With such an anarchic script, simplicity is important so the audience can follow the different layers of the story easily, and this was mostly what happened. When one actor mimes brushing his teeth, and two others decide to mime a game of pool, the storyline suffers, because there was no reason for it apart from theatrical cleverness, but everything else is clear, charming, and performed with relish. It’s always difficult for an actor to play a character who then has to play another character, but this company made it seem like second nature and, most important, everybody seemed to be having fun.
I wasn’t always convinced by the text’s twists and turns (singing That’s Amore in a glittering jacket, spot-lit, to a photo of a dog?!), and a false ending to both halves of the show will never be popular with audiences, but this is a slick and funny production without any weak aspects or lapses in focus. Dozens of quick costume changes perfectly achieved, lots of atmospheric lighting effects calmly created, beautiful short ballet interludes, and all done on a simple but effective set which the actors inhabit as though it is a second home. I sat back, relaxed, and was taken on a mad journey by a confident ensemble – and I loved it.
We have paid to see Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream but there is a problem: most of the actors are in dispute with the management and won’t come out of The Cricketers pub. However, we’ve got two of them, and with the Deputy Stage Manager’s determination and other reluctant associated people, a cast and a performance is cobbled together. Each ‘performer’ must play multiple roles with whatever costumes they can find, and off we go for two hours of confusion, bravado, romance and fun.
With such an anarchic script, simplicity is important so the audience can follow the different layers of the story easily, and this was mostly what happened. When one actor mimes brushing his teeth, and two others decide to mime a game of pool, the storyline suffers, because there was no reason for it apart from theatrical cleverness, but everything else is clear, charming, and performed with relish. It’s always difficult for an actor to play a character who then has to play another character, but this company made it seem like second nature and, most important, everybody seemed to be having fun.
I wasn’t always convinced by the text’s twists and turns (singing That’s Amore in a glittering jacket, spot-lit, to a photo of a dog?!), and a false ending to both halves of the show will never be popular with audiences, but this is a slick and funny production without any weak aspects or lapses in focus. Dozens of quick costume changes perfectly achieved, lots of atmospheric lighting effects calmly created, beautiful short ballet interludes, and all done on a simple but effective set which the actors inhabit as though it is a second home. I sat back, relaxed, and was taken on a mad journey by a confident ensemble – and I loved it.