Welcome to the brightest and most magical of Shakespeare’s comedies. The action takes place in ancient times in Athens in two locations, Duke Theseus’ palace and the surrounding forest.
Four Elizabethan lovers flee into the woods, and become victims of a tormenting fairy spell. In another part of the forest a rough and tumble troupe of mechanicals/tradies rehearse a play they are putting on for the Duke and Duchess’ wedding. They also fall prey to the fairy’s mischievous plot.
This is the first Shakespeare production to be presented by the Guild Theatre, Sydney’s longest running community theatre (commenced in 1952), with the play being directed by Susan Stapleton, who has relished the opportunity to present such a wonderful play to theatre lovers. Stapleton makes the most of her chance and comes up with a pleasing, fun filled production.
Jim Searle and David Pointon’s set compactly signifies both locations. There are some good moments in Roger Hind and Ruth Lowry’s lighting design. With their costume design,
Leone Sharp with the assistance of Amanda McNamara, make up for in inventiveness and colour what they lack in budget.
The best moments that Haki Pepo Olu Crisden and Donna Randall have, playing the dual roles of Theseus/Oberon and Hippolyta/Titania, are when they are being mischievous to each other.
Most playful of all, of-course, is the ever spritely Puck, well played with plenty of impish charm and warm physicality by Rosemary Ghazi. (Ghazi also has the small role of Philostrate) As do Maxine Solari and Jennifer Tansey who play two forest sprites.
Kim Jones gives a deftly judged performance as Hermia. One of the plays’ best scenes is when Helena and her have a feisty exchange in the midst of all the confusion that has been caused. Rachael Howard as Helena shone in this scene, showing all her character’s frustration and outrage at what she had been put through.
Dimitri Armatas and Douglas Spafford are convincing playing the two men, Lysander and Demetrius, who are also thrown into chaos-ville in the forest.
Brendan Dallow plays three roles, Egeus, Snug and Lion, my favourite being his performance as the roving lion. Snug is of-course one of the Mechanicals, that ever hopeful but not too talented troupe who are putting their play Pyramus and Thisbe on for the Duke and his wife. That all time Drama King, Nick Bottom, is played with plenty of comic charm by Russell Godwin, and he is joined with his merry band of players, (each role well played).
As well as Brendan Dallow as Snug, they include Catherine Waters as carpenter Peter Quince, Calib James as the ever flourishing Frances Flute who plays the character of Thisbe, Terry Neenan as tinker Tom Snout who plays the Wall (lots of fun with it), and Kathy Goddard as tailor Robin Starveling who plays the role of Moonshine.
This is a show which one comes out of feeling a whole lot less serious about things, as well as having been playfully challenged, contending with all of the Bard’s intricate plot lines and character doubling up!
Recommended, William Shakespeare’s A MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT DREAM, directed by Sue Stapleton, is playing Rockdale’s Guild Theatre, Walz Street, Rockdale until Saturday 9th June.
Performances are Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Check the website for more details.The Guild Theatre can be contacted on 95216358 or by email theguildtheatre@gmail.com
Featured image – Rosemary Ghazi and Haki Pepo Olu Crisden in ‘A Midsummer’s Night Dream’ at the Theatre Guild Rockdale. All production photos by Craig O’Regan.