A Midsummer Night’s Dream Review
Enjoy Shakespeare under the stars in the magical setting of Kew Gardens...
Venue: Theatre on Kew, Kew Gardens. Directions.
Dates: until 29 August 2021
OUR VERDICT:
August has brought plenty of rain, so I was very lucky that my visit to Theatre on Kew was on a particularly balmy summer evening.
We found the small but perfectly formed stage set up beneath towering heritage trees in the Berberis Dell, tucked behind Kew’s magnificent Palm House.
Guests are encouraged to make a night of it; the show starts at 8 pm but you can arrive as early as 6.30 pm (tickets include daytime entrance to the gardens too) to soak up the very jovial atmosphere on the lawn in front of the stage.
Picnics are also positively encouraged (‘don’t forget the wine!’ the pre-arrival information cheerfully states), and so we came armed with the works, as well as several warm blankets, cosy clothes, and waterproofs (just in case).
And what a thrill it was to be out enjoying theatre again! But still reassuringly outside in the fresh air, with plenty of space for everyone to spread out.
Kew Gardens needs no introduction in terms of its beauty and serenity, but to be there on a summer’s evening felt very special indeed, and I don’t think there could be a more apt show for such a setting; A Midsummer Night’s Dream is, of course, Shakespeare’s beguiling comedy of enchantment and transformation set mainly in a magical forest, and at Kew the much-loved play is has been re-imagined by Glenn Elston, the award-winning Artistic Director of the Australian Shakespeare Company.
Filled with feuding fairies, love spells, and a hapless troupe of actors, Elston has carefully woven in clever modern references and songs throughout – I particularly enjoyed Lysander and Hermia’s Sonny and Cher moment, Puck’s impressive acrobatics and Bottom’s extended and hilariously over-the-top death scene, and just before the interval the audience are asked – “to pee or not to pee? That is the question”.
The beautiful setting alone would have been enough to make the evening a memorable one, but the young and energetic cast of Elston’s Australian Shakespeare Company delivered the charming and captivating production with aplomb, all dashing around playing various parts with skill and youthful energy.
Larissa Teale gave a brilliantly intelligent and heartfelt performance as Helena, Mohsen Ghaffari was hilarious as Bottom, and Fletcher O’Leary delighted as the energetic and playful Puck. Kane Aspey impressed as Oberon, whilst Lewis Edridge, who played both Demetrius and Francis Flute, was almost unrecognisable and wonderfully entertaining as Thisbe.
The stage was bare and could have benefitted from just a touch of dressing, but the lighting design lit up both the actors and surrounding trees beautifully, and as darkness fell it looked positively magical.
The company leaped on and off the stage, costumes sparkled, and illuminated smoke bombs added drama that delighted both young and old. All this intertwined beautifully with the nature that surrounded us; flocks of Canada geese flew back and forth, birds watched on from their nearby branches and, later in the evening, a blanket of stars twinkled above. I couldn’t have asked for more from a truly magical midsummer’s night.
8 pm, until 29 August 2021, Tuesdays to Sundays. Adults from £30, concession from £25, children £17 (discounts for Kew members) theatreonkew.co.uk/shows/a-midsummer-nights-dream
