Midsummer Night's Dream. To 23 June.
Newbury/Tour/London
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
by William Shakespeare
Watermill Theatre To 22 March then tour to 23 June 2003
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Thu & Sat 2.30pm except 22 March at 1.30 & 6.30pm
Tkts 01635 46044
Review: Stewart McGill, 11 February 2003
To be re-reviewed in London early August
A beautiful realisation from one of the finest Shakespeare interpreters working at this time.This is a beautiful realisation of A Midsummer Night's Dream and, I don't think I'm still under the influence of Watermill's atmospheric intoxication, perhaps the best I have encountered since Brooks many moons ago.
Edward Hall's all male Propeller ensemble seem able, in this country estate atmosphere, to get to the heart of the plays and reawaken elements that other productions often overlook. With Rose Rage two years ago the abattoir horror of the War of the Roses refocused attention on Henry VI in close up and similarly with Dream, Hall reawakens magic in a beautiful chamber of illusion and surreal possibilities.
The Watermill itself, surely the most enchanting of all theatre settings does lend a perfect surround to Michael Pavelka's minimal baroque chamber and it will be interesting to see how the bijou concept adapts on the forthcoming tour. With ease the ensemble move between fairy and mortal roles giving each a sharp human quality whilst framed by an other worldliness suggestive of phantoms recoiling in the past.
Richard Clothier was a superb Richard Gloucester in Rose Rage and brings a magisterial power to Titania. He must play Richard III for this company in due course. Here is an actor of such power and quality that his moments on stage are arresting. Partnered by Guy Williams' shaven head and darkly threatening Oberon the war between fairyland factions is superbly realised.
When discussing this company's work I hate to single out individuals, as it is my opinion a true realisation of the concept of ensemble playing. Much is talked of in this county of the importance of ensemble as if it was some far off romantic notion. I suggest anyone interested in the idea of this dynamic, head for Newbury to see it in full glory. Having stated my position who can resist Simon Scardfield's wonderful Puck, Tony Bell's enthusiastic Bottom here not a tubby and pompous oaf but a young and engaging enthusiast ready to take on anything and Robert Hands' Helena a study in ladies school hysteria. All memorable yet I could list the entire company.
I have major reservations with the final play scene where the honesty of playing seems to give away to sending up the Pyramus and Thisbe sequence. Surely having found a route of honesty through the wood these scenes would gain by playing the earnest truth?
Dream should challenge and provoke and there are many moments here when worlds of power, love and sexual politics confront the audience. Yet it must also create a magic and as the ensemble sing Titania to sleep with a beautiful choral lullaby, exquisitely lit by Ben Ormerod the entire piece becomes that rare thing of beauty that cannot be matched.
Edward Hall is, without doubt, one of the finest directors of Shakespeare working in the UK. I hated his Macbeth in the West End and felt that all the pressures of commercial Shakespeare conspired against him. Here the opposite beauty, truth and magic reawaken A Midsummer Night's Dream. Miss this one and you will regret it be warned, the Watermill is a tiny theatre and will sell out quickly. Now, how about adding Richard III to the repertoire next season you know it makes sense.
Bottom the Weaver: TONY BELL
Lysander: DUGALD BRUCE-LOCKHART
Titania, Queen of the Fairies: RICHARD CLOTHIER
Hippolyta: EMILIO DOORGASINGH
Theseus: ROBERT HANDS
Helena: MATT FLYNN
Demetrius/Snout: VINCENT LEIGH
Hermia/Snug: JONATHAN MCGUINNESS
Quince/Egeus: CHRIS MYLES
Puck/Starveling: SIMON SCARDFIELD
Flute: JULES WERNER
Oberon, King of the Fairies: GUY WILLIAMS
Director: Edward Hall
Designer: Michael Pavelka
Lighting: Ben Ormerod
Performing Text Edited by Roger Warren
Music: Composer/Arrangers: Tony Bell, Dugald Bruce-Lockhart, Jules Werner
2003-02-14 09:47:27