This classic Shakespeare story has come to life at Riversdale Centre!
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a classic Shakespeare comedy play that has been entertaining audiences for years. The story follows four young lovers and a group of amateur actors who enter an enchanted forest. Once inside, fairies cause mischief involving love triangles and magical transformation. Shakespeare is a stable of a British summer and we were thrilled to get to watch Magic Floor Productions version. Magic Floor Productions is a fantastic group that stage productions most commonly at The Carnegie. Previous performance such as Annie and The Addams Family were great and they are currently rehearsing for Jesus Christ Superstar.
The show was set at Riversdale Centre in the gardens, which has been beautifully decorated. As the show is set outdoors, this setting was the best for creating a strong atmosphere. I specifically enjoyed the use of lighting around the venue, making it feel very magical. Costumes for the productions were also perfectly accurate to the Shakespeare tale, giving the story a real sense of joy. Despite an unexpected UK alert, the cast were able to continue the show professionally.
Jade O’Reilly plays Robin Starveling, the tailor, Simon Kitching plays Snug, the joiner, Steve Graves plays Tom Snout, the tinker, Flynn Clinton plays Francis Flute, the mechanical, and Sam Trayton plays Peter Quince, the carpenter. The four actors were able to work effectively as a group, with great dynamics between them. I also enjoyed when they returned as fairies which was surprising. They worked well with the fairies to make the moment more momentous. Zoran Hanitzsch plays Nick Bottom, the weaver. Hanitzsch is able to be dramatic as Bottom and this worked really well in the show.
Adz Bond plays Robin Goodfellow, a ‘puck’ in Oberon’s service. Bond is always a fabulous performer and this production allowed Bond to explore Puck with cheerful glee: making for a fantastic Puck. Katie Bird plays Titania, the queen of the Fairies and Craig Plumley plays Oberon, the king of the Fairies. Bird and Plumley are able to play these characters with enthusiasm and charisma. Alongside them, Rose Ash plays Philostrate, master of the revels to Theseus, Dani Hamilton plays Hippolyta, the queen of the Amazons and Andy Cunnell plays Theseus, the duke of Athens. Ash, Hamilton and Cunnell played their roles with passion and energy.
The main story of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is strongly focused on the four lovers. Demetrius is played by James Trayton, Helena is played by Amber Pullen, Lysander is played by Luke Jeffries and Hermia is played by Scarlet Simmons. Trayton is able to work effectively with Pullen, allowing for lots of comedic moments. Pullen stands out as she embodies Helena fully. Her desperation to be loved in felt and her comedy alongside Jeffries and Trayton was great. Jeffries plays Lysander with confidence, allowing him to explore the changes in his affection with humour. Simmons is a fantastic Hermia, being incredibly likeable and kind-hearted throughout the play.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream continues till Sunday 16th August (though tickets are selling fast!). Book your tickets here!
Tickets for this production were provided complimentary. Many thanks to Magic Floor Productions for organising and putting on a fantastic version of this beloved classic!
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