A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM AMÉLIE THE MUSICAL

Shakespeare’s Globe until October 30 shakespearesglobe.com

BLUE skies overhead, a brass band playing in Mardi Gras costumes, a pantomime lion, a piñata-inspired donkey Bottom and a plucky audience member “powering” the lights on a gold exercise bike – it is hard to imagine a more fun night out.

Shakespeare’s farce about the wonky “course of true love” throws two couples and a wandering troupe of wonderfully bad actors (George Fouracres is fabulously hammy) into the woodland spat between fairy monarchs Titania and Oberon. Much mischief ensues in the Globe’s exuberant romp as the excellent cast maintain impressively infectious levels of riotous energy.

With no interval, 140 minutes fly by as the production weaves its spell right up to the glorious freewheeling finale when the entire cast take on Puck’s “If we shadows have offended” epilogue one by one.

There have been mutterings that the Globe’s vision sidesteps the heavier subtexts of hierarchy, free will and women’s rights. They are still there if you care to listen but Shakespeare was, above all, a populist entertainer.

And this irresistible production is populist with bells on.

★★★★★

★★★★

The Criterion Theatre, London, until September 25 ameliethemusical.com

FULL disclosure: I’m not a huge fan of French whimsy but this adaptation of the 2001 Audrey Tautou film about a daydreaming waitress is exquisite.

Its star, the extraordinary, mesmerising Audrey Brisson, right, created the role for the stage and combines palpable emotional fragility with physical

comedy and an impossibly expressive face that makes you feel everything with her. The entire ensemble is wonderful, with special mentions for an audacious Elton John tribute number and a scene-stealing garden gnome – both bring the house down.

Inventively staged, it’s a magically immersive experience that draws the audience in until we too forget where fantasy ends and reality begins.

As Amélie finally learns to live, let go and love, the whole theatre held its breath for the achingly romantic dénouement. Pure heaven.