Dreaming at The Novello Theatre

On the 7th February, I journeyed my way up to The Novello Theatre, London, to see one of Shakespeare's best loved comedies, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. It was performed by The Royal Shakespeare Company at the beautiful, Victorian-style Novello Theatre.

The performance commenced with a jolt, where two knights dressed in armour, appeared on the stage. It was a mystery as to who they where for a second, while they were sword-fighting, until they took their helmets off, and Theseus said his line. Then appeared Egeus, with Hermia, Lysander and Demetrius. Egeus was throwing his daughter around, fierce as ever, and she shrieked as she knew her fate, to die, to marry Demetrius, or become a nun. What I particularly liked, was the contrast between Demetrius and Lysander. Demetrius was very smart, and looked rather upper-class and posh, while Lysander was more of a hippy, who simply nodded an 'Alright' to his Duke. This gained a few laughs from the audience.

The play then resumed to The Mechanicals, who are, in this play, incredibly funny. There was Peter Quince, in a biker's fluorescent outfit, accompanied by Flute, Snug, Snout, Starveling, and of course, the infamous Bottom, who was, by far, the most comical. The best part of this scene was Bottom's argument to play The Lion, where he roared loudly and fiercely (nearly broke our eardrums...), and then softly, 'like a nightingale'. This was also incredibly funny.

Then, forth to Oberon and Titania's quarrel. Titania was surrounded by many of her faerie assistants in their beautiful costume. They also carried an incredibly realistic doll, who happened to be Titania's changeling. I liked the original depiction of Titania; instead of the pale redhead in the floaty dress that we all know, this Titania was dark haired and skinned, and wore a princess like, tight blue dress. She was absolutely beautiful. Oberon too, was a very angry type.

A notable part of the play was Titania's lullaby, which featured a beautiful song from Peaseblossom (a faerie assistant), and many beautifully handcrafted props. A faerie came out a realistic owl doll, and floated it above the audience. This, with the magic sound of the faerie's song, and the lanterns left unattended in mid-air, gave me goosebumps from the mystic of it. Then, Titania was lifted up in an orb for a bed, and a faerie appeared in the spotlight behind the stage, a silhouette urging itself upon us. Then, it's place was taken by a scary creature, (who was Oberon), who then squeezed the juice upon her eyes. This was a very clever, and creative way of doing the scene.

The funniest part of the play had to be the ending scene, the 'Pyramus and Thisby' performance. The players came on, with their band, which was an ridiculously oversized horn, a pair of drums, trumpets, and a screechy violin; the noise was so insipidly terrible, it was simply hilarious. The actual performance of Pyramus and Thisby itself, was an infamously organized disaster, but Wall was the funniest of all. Instead of there actually being a wall, he was there, and the only chink was a hole between his legs. So of course, the lovers Pyramus and Thisby, were forced to kneel down and whisper between his legs. May I mention, he had no trousers on, just a pair of tighty whiteys? This made it just funnier when, by accident, he was kissed on the bottom.

Then, the monologue was absolutely magical. Oberon came on and sang, a strange but beautiful sound, and Titania came to join him. They then were pulled up, giving the illusion of flying, which was so beautiful. The kiss between Lysander and Hermia at the very end was so incredibly romantic, even I felt the goosebumps.

Overall. the play was the most mystical and comical depiction I have ever seen. If you ever get the chance to see it by the Royal Shakespeare Company, I definitely recommend it.