by William Shakespeare
EHJ Productions at Botanical Gardens (enter
Gate F Birdwood Ave)
Jan 6 until February 26, 2001
Reviewer: Kate
Herbert
When bats start
pooping on the actors, you know it's outdoor theatre. A Midsummer Night's Dream
is, once again, strutting about under the stars at the Botanical Gardens with a
cast comprising actors, stand-up comics - and fruit bats.
Glenn Elston's Shakespeare Under The Stars has become a
summer tradition which has now spread to Sydney, Perth and Adelaide. It rivals
the productions in Regent's Park in London, Central Park, New York and Golden
Gate Park.
After the sexy rock 'n' roll version of Much Ado About
Nothing in 1999, Elston, with co-director Phil Sumner, has remounted The Dream.
This production is fast-paced and is edited to a snappy two hours. It
accentuates the comic, the sexy and the loud. It takes advantage of gorgeous
natural surroundings enhanced by Tim Newman's lighting.
The cast, in modern dress, hurl contemporary references,
songs, slang and asides into Shakespeare's poetic/comic verse. Elston's casting
is far more appropriate than that of the recent Hollywood film, which has Ally
McBeal whimpering as Helena.
The story so far: Oberon, the fairy King (Stephen Kearney) is
ticked off with Titania, his fairy Queen (Tanya Burne) and sends his personal
fairy, Puck (Brendan O'Connor) to find a magical flower to make her fall in
love with some monster.
Meanwhile, the aristocracy are thwarted in love, then
bewitched and confused by the Fairy King's floral potion. Nearby, six tradesmen
prepare a "comical-tragical" play for the Duke's wedding.
The greatest treat of the evening was Kevin Harrington as
Bottom, the conceited amateur actor. Harrington is a consummate clown and a skilful
Shakespearian actor. his death scene is achingly funny.
The double casting shows the ensemble's versatility. The
entire show is built on mistaken identity, slapstick and naughtiness. O'Connor
and Kearney pump up the wickedness of Oberon and Puck while Greg Fleet and Will
Anderson heighten the blokey sexual competitiveness of Lysander and Demetrius
in a playful double act.
Kate Atkinson is excellent as the addled and abandoned
Hermia and Corinne Grant is a fine foil for her as the lanky loser, Helena.
Adrian Mulraney, a fine classical actor, is under-used as Philostrate.
This is perfect summer family fare, even on these wintry
evenings.
by Kate Herbert
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