[17
OCT 01] BELGRADE THEATRE REVIEW
A
Midsummer Night's Dream
BY
ALISTAIR HUGHES
Bizarre,
unusual, humorous, interesting and innovative are all ways in
which this play has been described. An open mind is definitely
required whilst watching this play as comparing it with more
traditional performances will undoubtedly spoil the experience.
The
play is set in the near future where people live in the city and
communication is by videophone alone. A place where true love
cannot flourish. Escaping from this leads you to a world in
decay and darkness.
At
three hours long including the interval this feels like a long
play and the new seating planned for the Belgrade Theatre cannot
come quickly enough. Generally though bear with the first half
as the second half is a definite improvement.
The
second half belongs to Puck played by Karl Morgan who comes to
the fore. Playing the mischievous Puck he brings humour and
joviality to the performance with his dancing and tomfoolery.
Without his performance the second half would have been a
disappointment.
Whatever
your views about the play the sets used for the forest and city
scenes are superb. This along with the visual imagery used in
the city scenes are almost worthy of a visit alone.
Congratulations
to the Belgrade Theatre in collaboration with The Shysters
Theatre Company for producing a very different adaptation of A
Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. Rarely does a
performance cause so much discussion during and after the
performance.
A
midsummer night’s dream – everyone’s talking about it.
'A
MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM' RUNS AT THE BELGRADE THEATRE UNTIL
20 OCTOBER - DETAILS
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