The Dreaming is a musical adaptation of Shakespeare's classic, A Midsummer Night's Dream, premiering at the Northcott Theatre. The Lord of the Manor celebrates his coming of age as the villagers rehearse a midsummer mummers-play. Unseen eyes gaze on from tree and bracken - the woodlanders, vagabond children, spirits of the forest. Lost lovers roam there too, a quartet of bewildered wanderers, mismatched and confused. How can the mysterious boy with the beguiling gaze serve these four?
This production is not worthy of five stars by any standards! It was a lack lustre effort from Peter Hall. Sure it had its moments, but overall it never took off and it looked dull - it had no spark. The Dame did her bit to get things going, but what else would one expect of such a professional. Clearly, she was there to fill seats and she certainly did that at today's matinee. It looked drab on that rather bleak stage. Mr Hall seems to have lost his touch over recent years. It is a sell out show, I believe, but it ain't worthy of it. Never the less it will certainly help the Rose to continue running, but it must now match that success with productions that are deserving of five star ratings. - rds
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