Midsummer Night’s Dream

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Shakespeare North Playhouse
4th to 7th February

*** A fabulous brave retelling of the original text ***

*** A mesmerising production that is quite the fever dream ***

*** Cabaret meets Marlow ***

There were plenty of ‘bottoms’ on seats at tonight’s performance of Midsummer Night’s Dream. This production is produced by the wonderful Headlong and Shakespeare Globe theatre with the Bristol Old Vic and Leeds Playhouse, too many cooks certainly didn’t spoil the broth with this mesmerising production that is quite the fever dream.

Whilst using Shakespeare’s words, Headlong stage their productions as if it is its first staging. MSD is considered one of Shakespeare comedies but this retelling, whilst still humorous, has a much darker element creating a nightmarish edge rather than a dream. At times it was cabaret meets Marlow. This darker side is brought in by focusing on the harsh dictatorship of Athens and its leader ‘Theseus‘ played by a captivating Micheal Marcus. His way of annunciating his words left you hanging on to them, rather than trying to work out the Shakespearean language. He also doubled up as a Jealous Oberon. Both his characters embodying a much more sinister vibe.

This was replicated in the casting of Hedydd Dylan’s as Theseus's Athenian fiancée Hippalyta , who drowns any thought of marriage to Theseus in the bottom of a bottles. As she loses more and more power to his male dominance you can see her steadily getting more drunk. She doubles as the fairy Queen Titania. A strong powerful independent woman, and though controlling of her own subserviates, she has a spell cast on her by the King of fairies ‘Oberon’ as he wants to make a fool of her for turning her head from him. Having these two leads playing these mirrored roles was clever casting by Becky Paris

During the opening Athenian dining room scene, we see servants trying to please a demanding Theseus. We are also introduced to four youngsters who are told whom they should be marrying not who they wish. After hearing this news, they decide to runaway to wed in the nearby forest where it is legal to do so. It is in the forest where unbeknown a quarrelling Oberon and Titania are arguing about the ownership of a child. Oberon bring in his chief sprit ‘Puck’ to create some spells that cause chaos between the lovers as well as Titania, who bewitched, falls for the human turned ass ‘Bottom’.

Sergo Vares plays not just a naughty Puck but a downright scary manipulative Puck. Clad in dinner jacket, tutu, and clown pale face, he is Oberon’s puppet of fancy. You can feel his internalised turmoil as he lashes out in wickedness and whatever playthings he can find. Bottom is played by a very talented Danny Kirrane who provides much charisma in his role, presenting bottom as a lovable rogue. Through his characterisation we find the lighter and more humorous elements, with some great off text moments thrown in.

We loved how the theatre was candle lit which made the space feel more intimate which felt perfect for the drama. With few props, and some masterful musical additions, all the drama and focus is left to the actors. There were a few rows of younger audience members that we guessed were from a local school and they were transfixed with the drama and lapping it up.

Further subplots unfold during the final scenes at Theseus and Hippolyta wedding celebration where three actors including Bottom are to preform, only this ends more like a wedding scene from ‘Game of Thrones’. This is a fabulous brave retelling of the original text and could easily be renamed ‘Midwinters Nightmare’.

Puck asks us to remember the story as a dream, but it feels more like a command not to question or talk about the events as to make those in power unhappy may lead to devastating consequences. There are elements of love and jealousy, as well as misogyny and power dynamic. This is Midsummer’s dream turned on its head in a clever unexpected way. Book now to see this version of the beloved classic, you won’t be disappointed.

https://shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk/event/globe-headlong-midsummer-nights-dream/