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:

11 June 2003

Michael Pennington's new production promises us a Dream with a Mediterranean flavour. And indeed, he offers us a heady Grecian blast - at least for the first few minutes, as Theseus and Hippolyta take the stage to the gentle sound of the bazouki.

If we think that this is going to presage an evening of exoticism, we're rudely disappointed as John Hodgkinson's military boor of a Theseus, bullies and blusters like a peppery old British army colonel - he's very good, but it's not exactly Hellenic.

Pennington introduces a level of contrast between Demetrius and Lysander by making the former a besuited prig and the latter, a low-life boho. It seems to me, though, that making such a distinction goes against the text, which describes them as equals. It also has the effect of making Egeus a more reasonable character, determined to do his best for his daughter, rather than a petty tyrant.

Pennington's quartet of young lovers struggle with the poetry of ...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.98.80.126) - 16 June 2003:

My, but the WOS reviewer is angry! This is one of the best MND's I've ever seen. Pure magic in the sylvan setting of the OAT, Regent's park. So what if they don't explore the sexual undertones (er, should that be understains?) - there's comedy in abundance here. The lady playing Helena shines, particularly when masochistically offering herself to Demetrius as a spaniel ("beat me"). And the quarrel between the fairies is no "minor spat" as the WOS reviewer erroneously supposes. Remember that it has caused climate irregularities that resemble global warming. Puck, I must say, is a trifle odd in this. But the Pyramus and Thisby is one of the funniest I can recall and the final epithalamion as the fairies bless issue of the marital house, ushers in the requisite serenity and peace. No, these shadows do not offend. Give 'em your hands - go see....

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