A Midsummer Night's Dream

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.

Our Review:

14 June 2004

Any director tackling A Midsummer Night's Dream has to decide what sort of play it is: a deeply dark study of sexuality or a broad rustic comedy. Over the past few years, the RSC has cornered the market in psychological explorations of our sexual impulses. Regent’s Park artistic director, Ian Talbot, knows his audience and there’s about as much chance of there being anything to offend schoolchildren as there is as finding Cliff Richard in a brothel.

But this year’s Open Air Dream isn’t quite the traditional fairy fantasy to delight the picnickers. There are no fey and winsome fairies here, but rather dirt-smeared, shaven-headed punks, revelling in mischief. In particular, we can see how Mark Hilton’s rough, hyperactive Yorkshire-accented Puck is so widely regarded as a “knavish sprite” as he trips up Quince and looks delighted at the mayhem he’s caused.

If a production aims to draw out the humour, it’s essential that the Ru...

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