A Midsummer Nights Dream - Review

**NOTE: This is no where near as long as my usual reviews because I'm pressed for time. Play: A Midsummer Nights Dream Playwright: William Shakespeare Director: Tom Gutteridge Performers: WAAPA 3rd Year Acting Review: What a way to finish the course. The 3rd year Acting students under the direction of Tom Gutteridge are performing Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Nights Dream" until Thursday this week and it's definately worth a look see. This classic romantic comedy is bought to life with some amazing acting, lighting design, stunning costuming and invovative set designs. Having performed in this play twice and viewed it many times it's always intersting to see other peoples interpretations and this one was defiantely unique. Taking the characters away from the classical and putting them in the 1950's I have never seen done before. I've seen classical, 19th century, early 1900's and late 1990's styled versions but not the 1950's and I say it worked quite well. Every actor pulled their weight and the two worlds - the mortals and fairies - were bought together smoothly and coincided together well. My personal favourites were the fairies and I must give credit to Luke Arnold who played the myschevious Puck with a smile, quick wit and just a hint of arrogance. Also to Anthony West who looked like he had alot of fun dressed up in a "naughty maid" styled fairy costume as Peasebottom and then in what looked like excessively tight short shorts as Theseus. The costuming for this piece was very well done. The mortals in their 50's styled shorts and skirts and the fairies in a combination of "naughty maid"'s, corsets, waist clenchers and kilts (thankfully not traditional styled either). And the mechanicals looked as if they stepped out of the 70's with their affros, flared waist high pants, and checkers. The lighting was filled with much creativity, creating many of it's own highlights to the show. In particular to the scenes in the forest. The sound at times was a little too loud - either that or the actors weren't loud enough - particularly the fairy lullaby scene - which was quite funny. Puck's myschief making was enhanced excessively with the use of sound also. The use of the stage was excellent. They had removed the first two rows of chairs and bought the stage down a level and out towards the audience, with many people getting wet by Lysander and Demetruis or groomed and cleaned by the four fairy servants. The set pieces broke apart and moved around swiftly to change from Athens to the forest playground of the fairies. (And I mean playground - slide included.)The Curtin theatre is very well structured to allow for many levels, balcony use as well as multiple entrances and exits which were all put to use by the cast - with Puck running down the side of the audience and Oberon calling to him from the balcony. These entrances/exits made great use for the lovers chase around the forest. Overall definately a good finish for the acting students from WAAPA. And definately worth a look. Innovative and creative this team have worked very well together to create the world of Shakespeare's comedy "A Midsummer Nights Dream." Details of show: Venue: Curtin Theatre, John Curtin College of the Arts, Fremantle When: Mon 16th - Thur 19th Oct. 7:30pm Matinee: Thur 19th Oct 2:30pm. Ticekts: $14.50 students & $19.50 Adults. And if you are unable to get to the show. A few pictures are available on the WAAPA website: http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/gallery.php