A dream of a Dream
The first time round for this production (2019) we thought we were all ‘Dreamed’ out – so it was only when the crits came in (and friends saw it) that we realised we probably weren’t, and regretted not booking.
Now we know for sure that’s so. It’s a quite extraordinary production – with the sort of impact Peter Brook’s 1970 RSC production had, but perhaps slightly more so.
Played fully in the round, with a standing (and moving) audience across the playing area (as for Guys and Dolls) and the ‘fairies’, Puck and Titania on aerial silks (and Oberon/ Theseus and Titania/ Hippolyta doubling as for Brook) this nods towards the 1970 production and then goes far further.
The Puck (David Moorst) is a very skilled aerialist, and Susannah Fielding as Titania/ Hippolyta is a skilled and convincing actress.
In a good production the Rude Mechanicals should be significant, and here they are (indeed their parts are spun out considerably), led by an admirable Quince (Felicity Montagu)
Bottom (Emmanuel Akwafo) is both charming and convincing, although perhaps not so full of himself as sometimes played, so that his asinine humiliation is more confusing than humiliating. The star-crossed lovers are good and energetic and deliver all they are meant to, and the fights between them are convincing and very physical (and some of the interactions are very modern in their interpretation; girl on girl and boy on boy).
And the set (which used actual beds for the ‘mounds’ everyone seems to sleep on in this play) was engaging. Indeed the set actual forms another character, in effect, as the groundlings are ushered around it as platforms rise and fall. And one setting offers a coup-de-theatre which is breathtaking.
Be aware that some plot points are changed around, for interesting effect. Being a modern production the fourth wall is regularly shattered, and the groundlings become involved in the action.
It wasn’t packed (although quite full) so seats may be possible.
If you haven’t seen it, don’t wait for another revival.
(Oh, and the ‘action’ starts both at the beginning, and for the second act, long before the lights go down, so take your drink into the theatre and don’t wait for the bell!)