A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

Reviewer: Brian Gorman

Writer: William Shakespeare

Director: Elvi Piper

 

Shakespeare’s ever popular, and most accessible play is an obvious choice for an open-air production. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with its Athenian lovers, and ‘rude mechanicals’ mucking about in an enchanted forest, and interfered with (both physically, and mentally) by meddling faeries, is the perfect material for an outdoor performance. This latest Chester Storyhouse production has all the requisite elements for a fun-filled, raucous, knockabout experience, to delight young and old alike, yet there’s something sadly missing. Essentially, it’s the magic. The real magic of the supernatural creatures has gone astray, replaced by pantomime-esque tomfoolery, and lowest-common-denominator japes and pratfalls.

Theseus and Hippolyta, rulers of Athens, are to be married, whilst four young lovers squabble amongst themselves, and a bunch of dim-witted amateur actors rehearse their feeble comedy following an invitation to perform at the royal wedding. Cue the inevitable chaos when the lovers and the hams wind up in the forest, and find themselves playthings of the mighty Oberon and Titania, the supernatural mirror images of the Athenian royals. This play is a gift for directors. It has huge potential for drama, comedy, romance, suspense, and even horror. I have seen thrilling versions where the light and shade has been presented, and the laughs and scares perfectly balanced. Oberon can be terrifying, yet here he is presented as a kindly, twinkly-eyed ringmaster by Daniel Burke. Titania can be supremely sexy, a diva, and a rampant temptress, but is portrayed as a drunken, loud Scottish man by Laurie Jamieson. I presume the character is a man, as he is dressed in traditional male clothing, but who knows. The actors are all fine, and play their roles with great energy and passion, but their efforts are diluted by the directorial choices of Elvi Piper. Molly Grace-Cutler comes closest to achieving a lovely blend of surreal comic timing, and darker flashes of mischievousness as Oberon’s enigmatic assistant, Puck. She spent much of her time clambering over audience members, cheekily chomping on snacks and drinks, and almost coming a cropper when slipping off a bench and almost flattening a chap on the front row! A vital component of any ‘Dream production is Bottom the weaver. The, usually male, overbearing, egotistical, uber ham ‘luvvie’ who ends up being turned into a donkey, then sexually assaulted by a drugged Titania. Victoria Brazier does her best in the role, but this particular interpretation of the character is a little flat, and missing a great deal of the energy and vigour demanded.

          

Designer Adam Wiltshire has decided to forget about the enchanted forest, and elected to choose a circus setting. Fair enough. But, we’ve lost the magic. The faerie inhabitants of the forest have been reduced to clowns and acrobats, bereft of any sense of awe. As with many of these open-air shows, the emphasis is on pantomime style fun and frolics. But, that’s to be expected, when the atmosphere of the venue is one big picnic, with some punters happily chomping on their chicken drumsticks and quaffing their prosecco, whilst jabbering to each other during scenes. There is the audience-pleasing smattering of contemporary pop songs, performed by the talented cast, that provide some entertaining interludes between the shenanigans. The result is a pleasant, undemanding evening, which is probably best enjoyed with a cheese butty and a can of Stella.

 

Runs until Saturday 27 August 2023

3.5 Stars

Knockabout Rowdy Fun