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Shakespeare in the park is the theatre lover’s equivalent of a good day in the surf: when the conditions are perfect, the acting is of high quality and the audience is engaged, it is absolute bliss. A great mix of these elements and some genius staging choices means this production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream has its audiences in theatre heaven.
With the support of The Maribyrnong City Council and The Living Museum of the West, Sly Rat Theatre Company transports the audience to a magical realm of fairies, dreams and unexpected romantic pairings with a modern Aussie twist. This production brings the whimsy and hilarity of Shakespeare’s finest to a modern audience with a deftness of comedy and an accessibility that makes it suitable for adults and children alike.
Friday’s opening night performance saw a healthy crowd of families, teenagers and picnickers brave a not so balmy Melbourne Summer’s evening to experience one of the Bard’s most famous comedies.
Open-air theatre can be a difficult proposition; the weather can be unpredictable, the audience may or may not pay attention to the performance, and audibility can be impaired. However, none of these proved a problem with this production. With the stage set under a lush tree by the banks of the Maribyrnong, this production showcased not only the talents of its performers but also the quaint beauty of the repurposed industrial setting. When rain threatened, audience members leaned forward and distractedly accepted the offer of umbrellas, reluctant to tear their eyes from the action even for a moment.
Set somewhere ‘in the not too distant future,’ this adaptation incorporates delightful characterisations of Shakespeare’s timeless Puck, Bottom, Helena and the Fairy Queen, to name a few.
The group of ‘Thespians’ from the play within this play arrives in a beat up old ute, belting out a rendition of the Aussie rock ballad ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.’ It’s the start of a jolly audience connection that engages those who understand iambic pentameter along with those who are there for the slapstick and the physical theatre.
The ensemble is energetic and talented. The actors evidently enjoy their time on stage and do not miss a beat in terms of cues and comic timing. Special mention must go to the actor who plays Hermia, who on several occasions is tasked with tearing along the banks of the river screeching like a mad woman, in an action rather reminiscent of a Bronte heroine wandering the moors. Hermia’s episodes are a source of much amusement for the audience as well as for the dog walkers and joggers into whose unsuspecting path she appears.
It’s moments like these that bring the true value of open-air theatre to life – the barrier between the world of the play and the external environment is broken down. Things can and do go wrong, and the unexpected must be expected… just as Shakespeare would have wanted!
There are so many reasons to love this production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream – from the peaceful, family-friendly setting to the fantastic direction and polished performances. One more thing to love is that this production is free.
This is a captivating performance by a genuinely talented ensemble; worth the trek across town, and a fantastic investment by the local council into accessible, high quality theatre for the community.
Rating: 5 out of 5
stars
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Living Museum of the West
Pipemaker’s Park, Maribyrnong
19 – 28 February
Tickets: free
Written by: William Shakespeare
Adapted by: Andy Harmsen for Sly Rat Theatre Company
Directed by: Alan Chambers
