Theatre Royal Nottingham – Wednesday 20th November 2024
Reviewed by Jill Heslop
5*****
Nottingham’s Theatre Royal was packed this evening to welcome back Opera North for their Autumn season with a revival of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Benjamin Britten, his 1960 take on Shakespeare’s much loved comedy as an opera in three acts. Magic was in the air! The Fairies, played by a cast of talented children in blonde wigs and black wings, opened the action behind the translucent Perspex stage set. No forest here; instead, large see-through bubbles suspended above the stage and gently floating to the music. The children’s voices join with the sliding opening strings creating a strange and ethereal atmosphere. Conducted by Garry Walker, the orchestra were able to bring to life the different sound worlds of the contrasting scenes. Familiar characters from Shakespeare soon appear; the King and Queen of the Fairies in glorious shining silver costumes along with the naughty and nasty Puck, in red satin shorts, played by Daniel Abelson. Puck (Daniel Abelson) is represented in the music by the snare drum and trumpet evoking his mischievous and daring spirit. James Laing plays Oberon, his countertenor voice sounding suitably other-worldly and Daisy Brown as Tytania was able to hit the high florid notes with ease.
The four lovers bring some slapstick comedy to the opera as they fall in and out of love with each other. These are Siân Griffiths as Hermia and Peter Kirk as Lysander, Camilla Harris as Helena and James Newby as Demetrius wearing beautifully bright psychedelic costumes. In the first Act, the music is quite discordant, echoing the arguments between the characters. However the second act opens with some blissful string writing from Britten as Tytania (Daisy Brown) and Bottom (Henry Waddington) share a sensual and humorous languor brought on by the magic potion.
The third act has plenty of fun and comedy as the Rude Mechanicals get the chance to put on their play in front of royalty. The bad singing gets plenty of laughs from the keen audience, who have enjoyed this happy and vibrant production of Britten’s fine opera.