A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Bell Shakespeare dropped into Perth for a short season as part of the National Tour of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A clever, exceptionally sleek and dark production, it is well worth catching as the tour progresses.

Teresa Negroponte’s single set design is large and impressive for a touring production, a large wooden construction, almost like the side of a ship. And a collection of chairs and tables serve as multiple locales, while her costume design is a clever blend of Elizabethan and contemporary looks. Benjamin Listern’s lighting design and Max Lyandvert’s composition and sound design, contribute to the feeling of dark magic that dominates this production.

Dark magic is also implied in the clever movement and swift scenic transitions facilitated by movement (and intimacy and fight) director Nigel Poulton, quite reminiscent of another play with black magic, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. A well edited two hours and ten minutes long, this production features the same eight actors playing all the roles, with the same actors (with the exception of Ella Prince’s very central and ethereal Puck) playing Athenians, Lovers, and Mechanicals.

The four young lovers are exceptionally well played, with wonderful interplay, believable in their changing affections and dynamic fight scenes. Fabulous work from Ahunim Abebe (Hermia), Isabel Burton (Helena), Mike Howlett (Demetrius) and Laurence Young (Lysander).This quartet also are strong in other roles, with Ahabe’s gentle Snug, for example, markedly in contrast to her strident Hermia.

The fairies are delightfully dark, with Richard Pyros’ Oberon revelling in mischief. Imogen Sage is a beautifully regal Titania with a lovely edge.

Sage also leads the Mechanicals as an efficient albeit nervous Quince, while Matt Ngaropo quickly becomes an audience favourite, showing expert comic timing as Bottom.

The audience were clearly enamoured of this production with its swift pace, clever direction and expertly drawn performances. One of Bell Shakespeare’s best. 

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Brett Boardman