The Australian
Shakespeare Company
Botanical
Gardens Gate F, Jan 10 to March, 2003 (no closing date)
Reviewer: Kate
Herbert
It is that time
again. After dark, Melburnians flock to the Botanical Gardens to sit on plaid
picnic blankets snacking from wicker hampers. Yes. It's time for another ebullient
production by Glenn Elston of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Usually, the
environment is the feature of the show but this year it is the comedy that
rules. Shakespeare's clowns
are served exceptionally well by this swift, energetic production. They are the
highlight. Ross Williams, as Bottom
the Weaver, is ebullient and charismatic.
Williams' comic and
dramatic skills are evident as he plays Bottom transformed into a donkey,
Bottom dominating the tradesmen's rehearsals and Bottom being seduced by the
Fairy Queen, Titania. (Kate
Langworthy)
The other highlight
is Brendan O'Connor who is a
marvellously acrobatic and mischievous Puck. He charms the audience with his impishness and boundless
energy.
The entire cast is
delightful and most double as royals and tradies. As the two lovers,
Demetrius and Lysander, Anthony Rive and Philip Cameron-Smith make a fine comic duo. They integrate contemporary language
and songs into the Shakespearian dialogue
As their female counterparts, Hermia and Helena Marissa Warrington and Clare Danaher are both very funny and play their girlish rivalry with a
modern tilt. Danaher plays Helena as a sporty, leggy,
goofy gal who is a fine comic foil to Warrington's petite Kylie Minogue pertness.
Directors, Elston
and Greg Carroll, maintain a
snappy pace so there is not time to tire of Shakespeare if you are unaccustomed
to it.
Kevin Hopkins reprises his roles as the Duke and
Oberon, Fairy King. His presence
is commanding. As his Fairy Queen and Duchess, Langworthy manages to be both
statuesque and playful.
If you do not know
the story it goes like this. Hermia and Lysander want to marry but Hermia is
betrothed to Demetrius who also adores her. Helen loves Demetrius. They all end
up lost in the woods. Meanwhile, the
tradesmen are rehearsing a play for the Duke's wedding in the woods. The Fairy
King and Queen are rowing so Oberon, with his Puck, plays tricks on the humans
for sport.
The acrobatic
fairies ( Laura and Rachel Kmetko bring
howls of delight from the audience and the vivid lighting of the trees still
takes our childish breath away.
By Kate Herbert
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