Reader Reviews
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Noel Coward Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | The effort given for the set of this production was obvious, if only the same effort had been reflected in the actors' performances. I enjoyed the Vicar of Dibley, but I didn't realise that Bottom was the female priest of a rural village in England. French's portrayal was mildly entertaining at best and embarrassingly crude the rest of the time. Shite. - USER: Whatsonstage.com | 09 May 01 |
| The fact that it is supposedly a vehicle for Ms French is here irrelevant. Yes she keeps the comic thing rolling throughout, but the real stars of the show are Lee Ingleby's fantastic boyish Puck; Will Keen's hilarious Dr. Niles Crane-esque Lysander played against Stephen Campbell Moore's Hugh-Laurie-in-Blackadder-goes-fourth Demetrius and Tilly Blackwood's self-obsessed women's rights campaigner. By the interval I was mildly impressed and giggling, but by Act 3, Scene 2, I began to realise was one seriously brilliant piece of theatre. The language is no barrier in this production: most of the time the actors are sending it up anyway. Act 5 is suitably hilarious and the mortals end with a suitable bizarre "bergomask". There were tears in my eyes as Puck appeared for the last time. Every single character in this production has been carefully shaped by the director: the only weak characters are Titania and Oberon, but this is only noticable because they are running at 90% instead of 110%. They are though, much more suited to Theseus and Hippolyta and do the parts more than justice. The production finishes this week. I beg you: if you read this in time, go and see it even if you hate Shakespeare: it may be the most enjoyable 20 quid you ever spend. This is the kind of show that makes me want to spend every penny I earn on theatre tickets, and I hope you will feel the same way. - USER: Whatsonstage.com | 08 May 01 |
| Just a vehicle for Ms French to do all her usual silly faces and funny noises. Serious Shakespeare goers should avoid! - USER: Whatsonstage.com | 09 Apr 01 |
| Quite good fun. If you're usually scared off by shakespeare, this could well be the production to make you change your mind. - USER: Whatsonstage.com | 06 Apr 01 |
| An exceptional show brilliant throughout, great acting and a wonderful set. This is one of those shows you must see! - USER: Whatsonstage.com | 05 Apr 01 |
| Marvellous to see the West End enjoying Shakespeare tho audience not usual wrinklies, but lots of young women! Good production - the women thing worked and it was funny in all the right places. Dark undertones there for those who want them. - USER: Whatsonstage.com | 05 Apr 01 |
| A packed house last night proved that it's going to be a success. Effective adaptation of one of Shakespeare's favourites. Dawn French is superb and the finale (play) is fantastic. - USER: Whatsonstage.com | 23 Mar 01 |
| I laughed till I cried for about a third of this production. Not for the purists it is, however, the best proof you could ever offer a non-believer who thinks all Shakespeare is boring. The cast looked as if they were having a whale of a time and the audience certainly were. Dawn French, Selina Cadell and Gillian Kearney are exceptional. Give it a go - you will be surprised. - USER: Whatsonstage.com | 22 Mar 01 |
