REVIEW | A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The RSC

Reviews

14 Feb

Written by Katie

*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review

We all know that while Shakespeare isn’t always everyone's cup of tea, the one quirky play that is almost sure to get them on side is ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’. This classic show follows the romantic entanglements of four young Athenians: Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius, whose lives are intertwined with a group of amateur actors, orchestrated by fairies Oberon and Puck. Through a series of enchantments and mistaken identities, chaos ensues and the audience are treated to a fantastical and whimsical comedy.

A forest setting serves as a backdrop for the interplay between fantasy and reality, and yet the majority of the show offered us a barren stage. It is in fact John Bulleid’s illusion design and direction (supported by Matt Daw’s lighting) that created the enchanting spectacle, elevating the storytelling with magical charm and impeccable execution. Scenes were subtly embellished with all manner of floating fairies, glowing orbs, and disappearing characters, which ranged from sleight of hand trickery, to larger scale technological illusions, that were astonishing.

At the heart of it all is a cast that embodies their roles with unparalleled skill and charisma. Each actor breathes life into their character, from the mischievous Puck to the lovelorn Helena, drawing the audience into their world with every word spoken and gesture made. It is a testament to their talent that even the most fantastical moments feel grounded in truth and emotion.

One of the most anticipated additions to the RSC’s roster is undoubtedly Matthew Baynton, who’s charming and somewhat dorky character has become a fan favourite among TV lovers, who couldn’t wait to see him on stage since it was announced back in October. This was an absolutely inspired casting, with previous roles of Baynton’s being akin in many ways to ‘Bottom’- most notably the character of Thomas Thorne in BBCs Ghosts. Baynton brings a superb energy and comedic timing that was generous to the script, and Eleanor Rhode’s stellar direction ensures Bottom is a stand out character amongst some of the most exquisite talent.

Both Dawn Sievewright as Hermia and Boadicea Ricketts as Helena, infuse the leading ladies with depth, authenticity, and audacity, navigating the intricate plot with emotion and wit. Never has the phrase ‘Though she be but little, she is fierce’ been so appropriate than with these two. Paired with Nicholas Armfield as Demetrius and Ryan Hutton as Lysander, this foursome mastered the perfect balance of comedy, romance and fantasy, toying with the limits of magical infatuation just perfectly to give us a heightened awareness of the fantastical nature of it all.

Bally Gill gives us a refreshing take on Oberon, with a more subtle air of authority and commanding presence than we’ve seen before. He works well with Sirine Saba as Titania to portray that deep, enduring love despite bouts of conflict and manipulation, and I enjoyed the way these two played off each other.

Huge credit must go to Premi Tamang, who took on the role of Puck for this performance due to the indisposition of Rosie Sheehy and Charlotte Jaconelli. As the intermediary between the human and fairy realms, Puck's every action sets the stage for hilarity and mayhem, and Tamang navigated this complex character with confidence and dexterity. A balletic and athletic mover, she danced through the scenes beautifully, as the mischievous architect of chaos, and ultimately left me thinking, if that is what their understudy can do, what on earth will Sheehy do when she's back in the role?

There were some surprises along the way in this production, most which added to the whimsy of the play and moved its story along with a great pace, but some I didn’t feel were all that necessary, and came across a bit showy and inauthentic for me (the ball drop being the main culprit). The musical numbers were also slightly rogue, but I did enjoy that they kept the show feeling eccentric and quirky, and in the end created an absolute triumph of a production.

Directed with finesse and flair, this production will leave a permanent mark on Shakespeare's timeless comedy. From the mesmerising and dreamlike illusions, to the stellar cast, every aspect of this show is unique and flawless, and is a testament to the RCSs ability to keep breathing new life into the work of the Bard.

This must-see theatrical experience is at Stratford Upon Avon’s RSC until 30th March 2024.