"Masters, spread yourselves", says Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream as the audience at Parkshot Studio settled in our seats for an evening of utter delight from the students of the Richmond Drama School.
Director David Whitworth chose a black box set for a simple direct production that was extremely effective. After so many gimmicky Dreams, here was one that allowed full measure of the music and magic of Shakespeare's play. Not that the production was without innovation: it centred on a sky-blue swag of voile that first appeared as Titania's train, a metaphor for the web of magic cast by the immortals.
Moreover, there was some engaging, although not intrusive, cross casting. Egeus became Egea; Chloe Sinclair made a very passionate Lysander, eyes aflame with lust; and Stephanie-Jade Lynch's flamboyantly gitan Oberon made a wondrous-strange consort to Gabrelle Keyzar's enthralling Titania.
The ensemble strength was apparent through each of the three entwined plots. The bewilderment of Hermia and Helena was depicted with pithy appeal by Sophie Nickel and Rachel Hickey. However, Salvatore D'Aquila appeared uncomfortable with the physicality of his wandering-Celtic Puck.
Amongst strong acting from the rustics, George Michie created a brilliant Bottom of robust rationality rather than buffoonery, and Daniel Mansour played a Starvelling's lion that was sheer sweetness.
The whole setting, enhanced by Cherry Trulock and Kirstie Macleod's eclectic costumes and Steve McNeil and David Whitworth's subtly beautiful lighting, spread before us a multi-faceted fairy-tale of enchantment and delight that was masterful.
This production has been entered for the Richmond Drama Awards.
Mark Aspen
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