Theatro Technis, Camden – until 5th May.
Reviewed by Keiley Archer
4****
Gavin McAlinden and the Acting Gymnasium company offer a modernised version of Shakespeare’s comedy ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, performed in the small venue of the Theatro Technis, which creates an intimate setting ready to engage the audience into the tale of love, music, and mistaken identity. Based around contemporary music festival culture, the production presents a unique twist on the classic.
The play begins with Thesus, the Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, planning a festival in celebration of their forthcoming marriage; and moves on to follow the ventures of four Athenian lovers and The Mechanicals, a group of six actors preparing a play, all of which are manipulated by the fairies residing in the forest of which the play takes place. These interwinding narratives could become confusing, particularly to an audience who may not have watched much Shakespeare before, however the Acting Gymnasium production does not fall into this trap.
The inclusion of modern day festival culture opens Shakespeare up to an audience who may not have considered watching prior to this adaptation, particularly younger audiences. However, this does not take away any enjoyment from audiences already familiar with Shakespeare’s work, as it allows people to experience the classic in a new perspective. McAlinden’s directing provides the audience with an energetic performance to enjoy.
The set is minimal, but this allows the audience to keep focused on the actors and stage action without becoming distracted by any extravagant scenery. Characters with long soliloquies such as Oberon, played by Michael Claff, and Puck, played by Max Easton, are able to engage the audience through effortlessly portraying their devious personas and mischievous intentions which are central to the plot. The comedy within the dialogue combined with the physical comedy in the staging included throughout the performance, whether it be the witty wordplay of the Mechanicals or the humorous stage action between the four lovers, remains engaging from start to finish.
Overall, Acting Gymnasium’s production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ offers a fresh version of Shakespeare’s play, which will appeal to both a new audience and Shakespeare lovers alike. It is a definite must-see for theatre lovers!