A (Late) Midsummer Night's Dream

I went to see the latest RSC production of A Midsummer Night's Dream last night. I really was not sure what to expect as it is a play that could be done in quite a few ways really, and some of the RSC productions I have seen have taken things pretty far out of the original context (The Taming of the Shrew in a strip club, anyone?). Plus, I had never seen this play on stage before, which is odd since it is such a famous one.

It was also the first time I had been into the newly refurbished theatre, having been watching plays at The Courtyard for the past couple of year. I was very impressed, especially by the shop, which held a lot more stock and which tempted me into a couple of badges, a fridge magnet and a postcard. The actual layout was similar to The Curve in Leicester, with it having a variety of stage doors for entry, situated along a rounded theatre wall. Very nice, anyway.

It turned out that the actors playing Nick Bottom and Hermia were not able to perform that night, which was a bit disappointing to hear, but the cast turned out to be fantastic. The whole play was well acted, but I think those two actually stood out as the best: Hermia perfectly embodying the ‘little, but fierce’ role and Bottom being a great comedic actor.

It kicked off in an interesting manner, with live action whilst some of the audience was still entering. The scene set was rather like a warehouse, with stark white walls, bare bulbs and metal all around and the Mechanicals were, interestingly, introduced in the first few minutes via a ‘problem’ under the stage (a steam emitting trapdoor), which they had to go and fix.

The play appeared to have a 60s setting (mini dresses donned the two young female lovers) and lights were used to create 'magical' effects, such as the flower's juice annointing the lovers' eyes. In fact, the staging itself was excellent, complete with floating arm chairs and a dining chair 'forest' at one point. 

The finale (the performance of Pyramus and Thisbe) had to be the highlight of the performance though. Done in a greatly comedic way, with purposeful 'mistakes' by the actors, it was fantastic and full of proper full body laughs. Even some of the 'extras' sitting mostly out of site on the metal staircase were laughing heartily along, possibly because they were seeing it afresh because of the understudies performing that night?

I don't want to say too much more and spoil it for anyone going to see it, plus I am aware that this has been a rather long post. All I can say is that this version of the play is well worth a watch and combines the magical fantasy elements of the play, with the comedy and makes a well rounded, well thought out piece. I think it could have perhaps afforded to push the set and magic even further, but the rather stark nature of it did work well to showcase the great talent of the actors. A great show and amazing, despite the fact the understudies had to step up (I wouldn't have known they were if it had not been pointed out) and the play did suffer slightly for it, with the loss of a fairly and a Mechanical as a result. Well worth a watch if you can in the Stratford or London seasons.