A Midsummer Nights Dream kicks off the summer season at Shakespeare’s Globe and it did not disappoint. Being one of Shakespeare’s most frequently performed plays, you might be tempted to think it has been overdone with no room for originality, but oh, how wrong that would be. Director Elle White creates a ferociously powerful and delightfully mystical interpretation of the well loved comedy, one that draws the audience into a world of mischief, lust and magic, writes Bella Christy.
The play follows three distinct groups of characters that interweave and meddle in each others’ lives: the young lovers and aristocrats, the troupe of actors and the fairy people. The costumes, designed by Takis, allowed this distinction to be clear and brought the world to life. The young lovers were dressed in regal colours: blues, greens and oranges with such richness and depth of colour. There were billowing sleeves and structured skirts all contributing to the construction of wealth and high class. This contrasted with the acting group who were dressed in less sophisticated garments draping simply from them, the colours muted and earthy. Though it was the fairy costumes that were the most intriguing. The combination of tones, with embellishments of flowers and gold, signified their connection with nature and the forest as well as their power.
There were a lot more innuendoes in this play than my young thespian self remembers. White certainly drew out the sexual tensions on stage. Lysander oozed self assurance and sexual energy. He stands tall, shoulders back with his hands on his crotch, confident and cocky he portrays a charm that is both seductive and loathsome. I am somewhat disappointed that this energy is lost towards the end of the play. After the fairies lift the spell from the lovers, Lysander, who is now in love with Helena, disregards his cocky personality. But, maybe that is what love does to you, love plus character development.
This production had me belly-laughing, openly and authentically chuckling – not that polite laugh you do to indicate you appreciate the humour, but true cackling. There were even a number of moments that the audience stopped to clap the sheer hilarity of the action. Bottom, played by Mariah Gale, was particularly talented in her comedy. Her character wants to be in the limelight and tries to convince the troupe of actors to let her play multiple characters. This eagerness and desire to be the centre of attention reminded me of the classic drama kid stereotype (something relatable as a drama graduate myself). She got the audience giggling at her ‘eee awww’s’ when transformed into an ass, and I was absolutely howling during her lusty and intimate scenes with Titania.
The acting was flawless and it is difficult to pick a standout performance. Though I must discuss the portrayal of Puck. Michelle Terry, the Globe’s own Artistic Director, truly and uniquely embodied this character. While her depiction of the mischievous Puck was still playful, it also incorporated darker elements that differed from the ‘cheeky’ interpretations I have watched before. This version of Puck comes across as sinister and cruel in their meddling, yet there is also a childlike, playful energy that creates an almost uncomfortable but brilliant watch.
The Globe doesn’t have understudies, we were told before the performance started, they do, however, have ‘superheroes’. And a superhero is what we witnessed as Helena’s part was covered by Lizzie Shenk. I initially thought that someone wearing blacks, with script in hand would take away from the production, but I truly believe that it added to my experience. Shenk barely glanced at the script and acted the part confidently with emotion and conviction. There was only one moment we saw her reliance on the script, and Puck snatched it from her, holding it up for her to read, adding another comedic layer to the scene (and lets face it, who doesn’t love a bit of meta theatre?). Rightfully so, Lizzie earned herself a huge round of applause.
The standing ovation A Midsummer Night’s Dream received was thoroughly deserved, I would certainly watch it again and I am very excited to see what the rest of the summer season has to offer at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Until 12 August