Midsummer Night's Dream?
Fri, 12 Jan 2001, 10:14 amWalter Plinge14 posts in thread
Midsummer Night's Dream?
Fri, 12 Jan 2001, 10:14 amHas anyone seen The Australian Shakespeare Company's 'Midsummer Night's Dream' in the park yet? I keep meaning to go but want to make sure it is worth it. The review in the West didn't really tell me much.
Ta.
Ta.
RE: Midsummer Night's Dream?
Fri, 12 Jan 2001, 09:52 pmWalter Plinge
I have seen it. This is Shakespeare for the masses, theatre for the masses. I liked it, I loved Demetrius (but I could be biased as I am marrying him next month!). Don't go see this if you want to see "Shhakespeahhre", see this because it's a beautiful evening, you want to share some wine with good company and have a laugh. Leave the critic at the door.
Personally, even though it is theatre for the masses, I think it is fantastic that these shows bring people who are wary of the theatre to see both theatre AND Shakespeare to boot. After all Shakespeare wrote for the masses too, not just "academics" and "artistes". Everyone should be able to enjoy his works. This show is quite likely the only theatre some audience members see all year.
One negative for me is that it is not a miked performance, so you really need to get there early and up the front. It is also a promenade production - not so much a negative as more a warning to be prepared to move.
So yes I enjoyed it, I laughed, I am going again and taking friends. Don't expect the RSC or a Bell interpretation. Think more "circus interpretation"; more Shakespeare as a farce; more three stooges. And if you don't like modern references in your Shakespeare you probably won't like this. So if you choose to see it, I say let go of any expectations and enjoy the evening as a whole.
PS Paul - it was by the same company that run several productions around Australia, it is even advertised as the same production. Just like Les Mis, Phantom, and other productions - you would see the same show where ever you went because the prinicipal direction is by Glenn Elston with other directors brought in to pass it on to the next cast. It is kind of like "Glenn Elstons production of the Dream".
Every company needs at least one "bums on seats" show.
Personally, even though it is theatre for the masses, I think it is fantastic that these shows bring people who are wary of the theatre to see both theatre AND Shakespeare to boot. After all Shakespeare wrote for the masses too, not just "academics" and "artistes". Everyone should be able to enjoy his works. This show is quite likely the only theatre some audience members see all year.
One negative for me is that it is not a miked performance, so you really need to get there early and up the front. It is also a promenade production - not so much a negative as more a warning to be prepared to move.
So yes I enjoyed it, I laughed, I am going again and taking friends. Don't expect the RSC or a Bell interpretation. Think more "circus interpretation"; more Shakespeare as a farce; more three stooges. And if you don't like modern references in your Shakespeare you probably won't like this. So if you choose to see it, I say let go of any expectations and enjoy the evening as a whole.
PS Paul - it was by the same company that run several productions around Australia, it is even advertised as the same production. Just like Les Mis, Phantom, and other productions - you would see the same show where ever you went because the prinicipal direction is by Glenn Elston with other directors brought in to pass it on to the next cast. It is kind of like "Glenn Elstons production of the Dream".
Every company needs at least one "bums on seats" show.
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