Midsummer Night's Dream?

Has 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.

Have I seen the current production of Dream?

Yes, when they did it about three or four years ago!

Yes, when they did it in Adelaide in 1990!

It hadn't changed that much in seven years, so I doubt an extra three will do much more!

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.

I haven't yet seen the show, How ever I would advise that you make the desision weather to see the show or not yourself. People who live their life by reviews arn't worth the paper that the review is written on. So why not just make a decision, hey I'm sure it can't be so bad that the whole world ends.

I went along on Friday night and enjoyed it immensely. As Leanne (Leigh-Anne?, Leeyanne?, whatever) said, don't go if you are snobbish about Shakespeare but I believe he would be looking down with a warm smile seeing people laughing and enjoying his story. A word of warning re mozzies - they are everywhere up there and big enough to pick you up and carry you away. I found the more red wine I drank the less they bit me - obviously tea-totallers. So tank up before the show.
Finally congrats on the forthcoming nuptials Leanne. It will obviously be a marriage that will last forever if you are still prepared to go through with it after hearing his rendition of "I Am Woman".

Thanks Dean for the best wishes and no thanks for bringing up the "Leigh-Anne/Leanne" time in my life. One tiny moment of youthful flirting with new-agey practises and I am reminded it of it ........FOREVER!!. For the record it is Leanne and shall remain so. (Or maybe until I hit my forties, probably have a crisis and start wondering where all that youthful flirting with new-agey practises went and why didn't I stick to them because my life would have been better off!....hey maybe I am pscychic?!! ... who am I....who's Dean.... what the hell am I babbling about... oh no I am seventy and have dementia.....................................)

I have seen both of the productions of the Dream in the Park in the past few years - and take my word for it, the two are nothing alike.

An almost entirely different cast (Michael Loney and Andrew Hale excepted) and a new director has given the text a new vitality - perhaps a little irreverent, as Leanne and Dean have mentioned, but exactly the kind of Shakespeare that plenty of punters in the park want to see - something they can identify with and enjoy. What more can we ask than this?

Even if you have seen a production of 'Dream' recently - and it's likely you have, with the amount this show is mounted - do yourself a favour and check out Elston's production. I think there is only 3 more weeks left, so get along, bring some aerogard and a pillow, and enjoy yourself!

Cheers.
U

I, personally will not be seeing this 'Dream'.
Mainly due to other claims on the pocket (ie Dennis Cleveland).

BUT, from memory, and what I've heard, this is BASICALLY the same production.

The one I saw in Adelaide in 1990 was absolutely brilliant, but the one that was here a few years ago was, in my opinion, less than brilliant, at best it was 'not bad'.

I have nothing against 'populist' Shakespeare, my only requirement to enjoy Shakespeare is that it is "done well" which is what this production was in Adelaide, but not last time it was done here.

If, as people have said, this time round is a lot better, then all power to it, and those involved!
The chance to see the likes of Luke Hewitt and Stuart Halusz in this production is one that I am passing up, but not without regrets...

Mind you, it is good to see a long-standing production like this changing with each new performer and venue. This is something that I think the big productions like Les Mis, Phantom et al. lack, they do not allow the performers to bring anything of themselves to their parts.

Oh, and Leanne, congrats! Remember me to your soon-to-be

Paul

I saw it a few years ago too. I liked it, but if it's unlikely to have changed I won't go see it again. Unless I had a date. But I don't. (Shameless grab for a relationship built on pity).

Don't be ashamed, Troy. I can't see anyOTHER reason that someone would build a relationship with an actor...

JB

I DID end up seeing the show after all, and loved it.

This is a different Dream to what Glenn Elston has done before, so please please please don't be put off by those people who have not seen it who insist on saying that it is just the same. If I read a comment from someone who saw both productions and saw little to differentiate them from one another, then that's fine, but don't just assume it's the same show because it's the same script and company. (this isn't a shot at you, Paul - this message just happens to be attached to yours because yours was the last post I read!!).

Cost-wise, it's hefty, but well worth it.

Have a look - I think they only have a few more weeks to go.

NSSS

I think I might just be going to see the show after all Jarrod... :-)

I'm with Aaron on that one, and you can like it for more that the show. I saw the show a few weeks ago, I'm seeing it again tonight( for my birthday!!) and although I have seen very polished Bell versions and such - this was one of my faves as I was with mates in a very casual fun spot and the atmosphere was alot of fun. And it was great to see my mate Toby up there - doing it his way!! So even if you prefer Shakespeare the RSC way, enjoy the show for the casual nature of it. Have fun, laugh you butt off and enjoy the company of what ever mates you can drag along!!

I saw the show on Wednesday and LOVED it, as did my companion for the night, who provided charming company. I must say one of the high-lights of the show was the appearance of the "moon". God Bless Live Theatre.

Go see it. Now.

Also, I'm not sure what the connection is, but they were selling Doug Anthony All-Stars - Bootleg CD's at the show. How happy am I? Very happy.