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A dreamful
of laughter
A
Midsummer Night’s Dream Belgrade
Theatre *****
IN the hands of Propeller, Shakespeare’s
Midsummer Night’s Dream is simply bewitching. We’re in The set is knitted also in a
sepia tint with ‘Wot, no nails’ adhering random chairs to the wall at
just above head height, used to great effect. In the centre, a pair of
balletic legs in green and red striped tights poke upside down out of a
magic box. A tinkly music-box tune introduces mischievous Puck (Joseph
Chance). The pace is cracking, the
poetry comes through, and as ever with Propeller, there is humour in
abundance as well as the story well told. Four stories knit together,
three pairs of lovers and an argumentative King and Queen of the
Fairies, plus the ‘rude’ mechanicals. Duke of Athens Theseus
(Dominic Gerrard) and Hippolyta (Will Featherstone) are due to marry.
For the feast, the Mechanicals are rehearsing in the forest a ‘tedious
brief play’ about Pyramus and Thisbe. Puck, for a laugh, turns Bottom
the Weaver (Chris Myles), playing Pyramus into a donkey complete with
teeth, ears and rather resplendent appendage, if you get my drift… Egeus (David Acton) wants
Demetrius (Arthur Wilson) to marry his daughter Hermia (Matthew
McPherson) but she prefers Lysander (Richard Pepper). If she refuses
it’s either the nunnery or death. She and Lysander plan to elope
to the forest. Helena (Dan Wheeler) tells Demetrius about the plot who
sets off in hot pursuit with Fairy King Oberon (Darrell
Brockis) and Queen Titania (James Tucker) are arguing and Puck’s brief
is to anoint Titania with a herb that will make her fall in love with
the first beast she sees – and it’s a donkey. He also anoints Lysander to
cause considerable confusion among the Athenian couples which eventually
sorts to everyone’s satisfaction. Under Edward Hall’s direction
there are many moments of pure magic, Helena and Hermia’s catfight is
brilliant; very physical and very funny. As for the Mechanicals, I have
never seen this play within a play done with more hilarity. If I have a
criticism, it’s all just far too short. Go, it’s well worth it. In
repertory with A Comedy of Errors To 15-02-14. Jane Howard
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