A Midsummer Night’s Dream - A Northern Theatre News Review

You know you are in for something different when the play opens with Puck eating a banana in silence for the first minute - clearly a fan of Krapp’s Last Tape!

Leeds Playhouse has gone for a darker shade of Dream that has frost rather than cobwebs as its mystical ingredients and the traditional woodland is somewhat lacking in this re-imagined version of Shakespeare’s classic.

It does make a good case for the tale as something a bit wilder and stranger than the version we all half remember from school. It is unapologetically wintry in tone, with the show leaning towards the idea that a dream can twist into a nightmare if you let it.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good re-imagining, from Berkoff’s Coriolanus set in a 1930s fascist context, to Riz Ahmed’s modern London Hamlet, rooted in a British South Asian family, which are both excellent.

What those two examples have though is a very, very clear vision, something that this version of AMND strives for but ultimately lacks as there are just too many disparate ideas thrown into the mix and left to sink or swim.

Holly Race Roughan directs with co direction from Naeem Hayat, and their concept is confident, but the tonal swings feel abrupt, and some of the design choices feel more interested in making a point than allowing the comedy and whimsy to flow.

It is also not shy about changing elements of the play, which will excite some people and definitely irritate others.

So I do genuinely applaud them for aiming high here, but ultimately, and unfortunately I think it swings and misses.

However, it does have some pluses going for it that means it is still an interesting viewing experience and worth seeing…

The best thing about it is the cast, full stop.

Tiwa Lade and Tara Tijani bring real spark and bite to the lovers’ chaos, and David Olaniregun keeps the energy up throughout. Lou Jackson matches that pace beautifully, so the romantic tangles feel real rather than just shouted into the chilly void.

Up in the fairy and court territory, Hedydd Dylan and Michael Marcus bring plenty of presence as the double billed royalty, while Sergo Vares gives Puck a sharper/darker edge than you might expect, which is excusable in this darker framing.

Jack Humphrey and Pria Kalsi also do admirable work in the world building roles, trying gamely to keep things clear as the plot gets twisty.

The crowd reaction both at the interval and on closing bows was muted, respectful of the effort but not entirely engaged.

Hopefully the RSCs imminent tour of Hamlet will redress the balance.

*All images Helen Murray.

Cast

• Hedydd Dylan as Hippolyta and Titania

• Jack Humphrey as Quince and Egeus

• Lou Jackson as Demetrius and Cobweb

• Pria Kalsi as Flute and Child

• Danny Kirrane as Bottom

• Tiwa Lade as Hermia and Mustardseed

• Michael Marcus as Theseus and Oberon

• David Olaniregun as Lysander and Moth

• Tara Tijani as Helena and Peaseblossom

• Sergo Vares as Puck

• Dannie Harris as ensemble

Creatives

• William Shakespeare, writer

• Holly Race Roughan, director

• Naeem Hayat, co director

• Max Johns, designer

• Nicola T Chang, composition and sound design

• Joshie Harriette, candlelight and lighting design

• Malik Nashad Sharpe, movement director

• Frank Peschier, dramaturgy

• Hugo Aguirre, design associate and access support worker

• Jackie Orton, costume supervision

• Sonny Nwachukwu, origins assistant director

• Becky Paris CDG, casting

• Felicity McCabe, photographer for main artwork

• Studio Doug, artwork designer