Sparse set for a classic play
Review
A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Directed by Shane Bosher. Summer Shakespeare 2020.
Te Whaea Basement Theatre. Until February 29.
Reviewed by Sonya Stewart
Previous Summer Shakespeare productions have been set in tents and gardens, the 20s and 50s with cross-dressing and gender swapping which puts each year’s director’s spin on a classic. This year’s production A Midsummer
Night’s Dream (directed by Shane Bosher) is being performed in Te Whaea’s Basement Theatre. With an almost nonexistent set and some tricky pillar placement it showcases his skillful use of actors within the space and reminds me of a nightclub.
Theseus (a suave politician in the hands of Hamish Boyle) and Hippolyta (Sara Douglas) are soon to be wed in a political marriage.
Interrupted by Egeus (Phil Peleton), this draconian father is angered as his daughter Hermia (a delightful Aimee Sullivan) is in requited love with Lysander (Andrew Clarke) and refuses to marry Demetrius (Matthew Staijen-Leach).
In turn Demetrius is running from the affections of a lovelorn and frustrated Helenus (gender swapped from Helena, Dryw McArthur is vastly entertaining) who is Hermia’s BFF. Clear as mud? It gets more complicated.
Titania (Catherine Zulver) and Oberon (played with depth by Grace Hoet) are Fairy Leaders whose relationship is in trouble due to an ongoing argument with no sign of compromise.
It’s the good intentions of a sympathetic ‘Oberon’ that leads to the mistake in identity of her servant ‘Puck’ (a cheekily gleeful Ariandne Baltazar).
She uses a powerful love juice on the wrong man, causing confusion and hilarity to ensue (the fight scenes between Lysander and Demetrius deserve a special mention).
But don’t think too kindly of Oberon’s good intentions, as she intentionally drugs the poor Titania as well, and causes her to become ‘‘enamoured of an ass’’.
Now we get to the Bottom of the play (James Bayissas showing fantastic comedic timing). He is part of a band of working class players who are in the woods rehearsing a play for the upcoming nuptials.
What a great bunch, Peter Quince (Charlotte Dodd,) , the Lion who meows (Snug, David Bowers-Mason) the Moon (Robin Starveling, Rosemary Lewis) and the Wall (Tom Snout, Lucy McCarthny) have their moments to shine. But the biggest laugh of the night was the demise of Pyramus, performed by Bottom i.e. the actor who just won’t quit.
There were strong performances however some were a little weaker and a few great one-liners got lost which is a shame.
But I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Highly recommended.