Friday 30-01-2009
Words: Amardeep Sohi
One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays comes to London in this glittering spectacle of magic, mischief and mayhem. An array of flashing light bulbs and translucent moon form the backdrop to the plight of two young lovers Hermia and Lysander. Forced to elope during the night or face being separated, they are followed into the forest by Demetrius, a suitor chosen for Hermia by her father and Helena, the woman who is tormented by her love for him. Their journey into the forest leads to a hilarious tale of misdirected affection as a group of whispering fairies intervene and change the course of true love.
Steve Tiplady’s depiction of the fairies as dishevelled and demonised dolls is ingenious. Puppeteered by the cast, their mocking commentary and haunting faces add an element of darkness to the traditionally comic tale. They are ever present as the young couples run around frantically in pursuit of their new found loves.
Kathryn Drysdale from 2 pints of lager and a packet of crisps plays a convincing Hermia, strong and demanding. Yet, it is Natalie Walter who draws in the audience as the gawkish and downtrodden Helena. Her fortunes change drastically as misplaced spells see both Lysander (Tom Davey) and Demetrius (Edward Bennett) vying for her affection.
Thankfully, all is put to rights by the end of the night and the play ends with an interlude in celebration of the Duke of Athens’ nuptials. We see a group of tradesmen enact a play which resembles the drunken antics of middle-aged men and it is here where much of the comedy is delivered. Joe Dixon in particular revels as Bottom, the Brummie tradesman who is transformed into a moon-walking ass head by the fairies and later takes on the role of the overly ambitious Pyramus. This production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a visual and comic delight which will have even non-traditional fans in fits of laughter.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs at the Novello theatre until 7th February 2009.
For tickets or more information visit: www.rsc.org.uk
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