A Midsummer Night’s Dream

This show is billed as a musical adaptation and lives up to much of the promise of infusing the play with raw performances of popular contemporary tunes. The songs are well selected and performed with gusto and enthusiasm. The instruments employed are simple but effective although much of the music relies heavily on the vocals and choral work. The playfulness of the music as a way of telling the story is one the strengths of the show.

The outdoor setting does present some challenges to creating this more musical emphasis. The vast space tends to obscure the voices of the performers and the ability to project to the entire audience is limited. The Athenian characters are also somewhat sacrificed, and this compromises the context of the imposing authority of leading figures. The regal positions of Oberon (Johnathan Peck) and Titania (Annabelle Tudor) become somewhat blurred despite their authoritative performances. 

The choreography is dynamic and often involves the entire cast. This goes a long way in conveying the action and the emotions of the characters. The location of the fairy world setting is, however, somewhat undermined by an eclectic approach to the costumes and would have benefitted from a more inventive use of the natural setting. Puck (Sebastian Li) is portrayed in a wonderfully light and jovial manner, and this is supported by very effective use of make-up. Jackson McGovern is outstanding as Bottom. His energy is relentless and present in his voice and physicality. He evokes all the contradictions and ambivalence in the character and his transformation into a donkey is very amusing.

This show allows performers to really showcase their individual talent but a more incisive and cohesive vision of the idea of a musical adaptation, especially in the outdoor context, is warranted.

Patricia Di Risio