Reimagined and great fun – A Midsummer Night’s Dream reviewed
The latest production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is showing at the Bridge Theatre on London’s South Bank.
Based in Athens, the play, has several scenarios intertwine with each other. The theme takes place around the marriage of Duke Theseus to Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons.
In the dream, Theseus also plays the part of Oberon, King of the Fairies and Hippolyta, his Queen Titania. Hermia loves Lysander, who returns her love, but her father wants her to marry Demetrius whom he feels is more suitable. However, Hermia’s best friend Helena, loves Demetrius, and although she pursues him, he isn’t interested.
Meanwhile, a group of people are practising a play to perform at the marriage. One of the cast Emmanuel Akwafo is Bottom who steals the show particularly when transferred into an ass, becomes the love interest of Oberon.
Helena standing between Lysander and Demetrius c. Manuel Harlan
In the dream Oberon has quarrelled with Titania and in a change to the original, Titania rather than Oberon instructs Puck to fetch a purple flower with juice that makes whoever is anointed with it, fall in love with the next person they see. Puck has fun impregnating Lysander as well as Oberon which causes a lot of friction and shenanigans.
Bottom as a donkey with the fairies c. Manuel Harlan
The choreography in the form of aerobics is spectacular, performed on swings hanging from the rafters. Puck is dressed in black while the fairies have colourful costumes.
Fortunately, at the end everything is put to right, and all the lovers are reunited to their rightful partners and join Theseus and Hippolyta at their wedding festivities.
Puck, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Bridge c. Manuel Harlan
The Bridge’s innovative design and construction provides a flexible auditorium which is capable of different configurations and formats, and provides audiences with excellent views, comfort and close-up connection to the actors.
In Midsummer Night’s Dream, the audience is wrapped around the auditorium with the action taking place in the middle. Standing visitors are able to participate in the frivolities, particularly at the end when the marriage festivities encourage everyone at the wedding, which are, to dance.
Verdict
Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by Nicholas Hytner is a memorable comedy with lot of laughs. The location of the Bridge Theatre is particularly special, situated on the banks of the River Thames immediately opposite the floodlit Tower of London which is spectacular.
Need to know
- On until 20 August.
- The performance is 2 hours 40 minutes with a 20-minute interval.
- Monday – Saturday 7.30pm. Thursday and Saturday 2.30pm
Captioned Performance: Friday, 18 July at 7.30pm - Audio described and touch tour: Saturday, 2 August at 2.30pm
Check availability or buy your tickets
Bridgetheatre.co.uk, 3 Potters Fields Park, London SE1 2SG. Close to London Bridge tube and main line stations. Choice of both seated tickets which wrap around the stage or standing where you are part of the production.
The post Reimagined and great fun – A Midsummer Night’s Dream reviewed appeared first on The Travel Magazine.
