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Synopsis On a midsummer's night Hermia and her lover Lysander flee from Athens and Demetrius - the man Hermia's father favours as a son-in-law. Demetrius follows, pursued by Helena who loves him in spite of being spurned in favour of Hermia. On the same night Bottom and his friends leave Athens to find somewhere quiet to rehearse their play which is to be performed at the wedding feast of Duke Theseus. Drawn into the woods they enter a world of magic, mystery and wonder. The Complete Works
really quite confusing. funny during the machanicals play but otherwise frankly a bit naff! midsummer nights dream is an amazing play and if you're only going to see it once dont see this version. - 80.42.117.172)
27 Jun 05
This play is one of the best productions i've seen (of any play) for a very long time. The technical fx and set are stunning (though, the 'forest' set did somewhat remind me of the set of Cats tipped on it's side...) and the characters are extemely well portrayed for the most part - particularly puck, who seems ever entertained by his own antics, and somewhat world-weary. There are aspects of the production that are a little confusing like the opening sword fight, the modern but non-specific setting and the mechanicals accent. But that aside, the mechanicals play is extemely funny - and in fact somewhat reminiscent of the other (reduced) shakespeare company, with a completely childish, but hilarious gimmmick of using wall's legs as the chink - much dodgy innuendo ensued...
Overall, this is not to be missed. It has just the right amount of magic, comedy and dark other-worldly-ness (with much interesting use of both inanimate and human puppetry). This is an evening well spent. - 195.137.59.223)
18 May 05
It's not bad. But it isn't very good - the mechanicals would fail were it not for the one good joke (the wall using his legs as the 'hole' - and this is, anyway, borrowed from the Joseph Papp production in the 80s).
Doran would be a good director if only he'd strip back all the sets and additions. He choked As You Like It with bloody wool, and his Much Ado was limited by a massive permanent set. His best work; Taming of the Shrew; Othello and All's Well - show less set, and forego the desire to 'fill' the stratford stage as he does here.
And Joe Dixon doesn't seem to have a clue what it's all about - like in Roman Actor he drones the beautiful Oberon speeches in an RSC-impersonator sort of way. The conception of the fairies is poor.
The lovers are good, but not astounding - other than Hermia, who really does look dwarfish!
Basically, it's not brilliantly directed or well designed, which would give this play and production real quality - as has been seen in all the major successes - Grandage's at Sheffield, Adrian Noble, Michael Boyd, and the inimitable Brook production. - 195.194.148.2)
15 Apr 05
A brilliant performance very funny and worth the 4 hour journey. I loved every minute, i will definatly be going back to view another play of theirs - 62.252.96.13)
12 Apr 05
Another success for Greg Doran. Ironically at a time when the RST redevelopment plans are finally settled, Doran shows the advantages of the existing arrangement! This is a beautiful and magical production with a wonderful cast - for once Bottom does not entirely steal the show. The fairies are more earthly and elemental and this works well. There is a distinct audience "buzz" at the interval and end of the show - always a good sign of a great production. I usually dislike this play, but this production had me hooked throughout. Do not miss this production. - 62.252.0.10)
12 Apr 05
Visually stunning,a must see Dream, that mesmorises and intrigues throughout with Bottom and Puck outstanding, although the production is more more magical than comedic in it's emphasis, which is not to say there aren't some hilarious moments, particularly with the wall, where we get to see much more of his red pants than you would ever imagine!Also, the brummie accents work a treat. They're bostin'. - 195.70.71.170)
07 Apr 05
Not bad, but pretty incoherent. Mechanicals hampered by a poor conception in Birmingham accents... really pretty irrelevant. Quince was funny, and the 'chink' joke was, but they found little comedy elsewhere. Joe Dixon as Oberon doesn't seem to have a clue what he's saying, and the fairies generally are weak. Puck is mediocre.
Lovers are by far the best thign about it; particularly Helena, who gives a stunning performance. Not in the class of Doran's Much Ado or Taming by a long shot though. - 62.254.64.17)
04 Apr 05
Went to the first night tonight, 31st March - it was magical, mystical, beautiful. Do not miss this, it will cheer your heart. - 62.255.32.13)
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