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A Midsummer
Night's Dream has long been the subject of experimental staging
and innovative direction, sometimes to the detriment of the work
itself.
This production,
combining a relatively traditional set with radical character interpretation
makes for a captivating performance and a successful blend of the
portrayal of reality and fantasy.
This aspect
of the play is reinforced by the contrasting sets, which transform
the scene from an austere and traditional Tudor mansion into a frosty
woodland. Centre stage for the dream scene is a raised pond surrounded
by silver trees, and a number of hidden entrances through which
the various characters emerge, in particular the agile Puck.
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| The
Midsummer Fairies |
Whilst the
woodland set is initially lacking something of a magical quality
this is quickly overridden by the appearance on stage of the ungodly
Puck, who transports the audience into another dimension.
The costume
design adds fluidity to the transformation, ranging from traditional
Athenian dress to all-in one green camouflage suits for the winged
fairies, complete with Tellytubby style head appendages and floral
wreaths. The result is a stark contrast between the bedraggled lovers,
whose outer garments are discarded as the plot develops and the
almost inhuman appearance of the meddling fairies.
The cast consists
of an array of talents with a number of well-known faces giving
a professional performance studded with moments of ingenuity. The
motley crue of tradesmen who amuse the gentility with their rendition
of the tragedy of "Pyramus & Thisbe" are a perfect combination of
yokel naivety and enthusiastic players. Entertaining from first
to last, they provide a welcome distraction to the main plot.
Of particular
note were the performances of Martin Herdman playing a larger than
life Bottom, Angus Lenny (better known as Crossroads' Shughie McFee)
as Snug, and Gareth Thomas's bare-chested Buddha-like representation
of Oberon.
The piece de
resistance, though, is found in the unnatural quality of the apparently
hermaphrodite Puck whose energetic transmission of Oberon's orders
bring together the two states of being in an enchanting fashion.
Veronica Leer makes the weird and wonderful Puck into a central
figure who for me stole the show.
All in all the
production provides a good evening's entertainment and is well worth
the ticket price.
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