Review: Many moments of pure magic in Propeller’s Shakespeare

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is simply bewitching. We start in a dusty and forlorn attic, seemingly strewn with forgotten toys, in sepia tint, which come to life to tell the story with Propeller’s trademark rich and adventurous variety of music.

The set is knitted, also in a sepia tint with ‘Wot, no nails’ adhering random chairs to the wall at just above-head height, used to great effect.

Four stories knit together. Fairy King Oberon (Darrell Brockis) and Queen Titania (James Tucker) are arguing and mischievous Puck’s brief is to anoint Titania with a herb that will make her fall in love with the first beast she sees – and it’s a donkey.

Duke of Athens Theseus (Dominic Gerrard) and Hippolyta (Will Featherstone) are due to marry. For the feast, the mechanicals are rehearsing in the forest a ‘tedious brief play’ about Pyramus and Thisbe. Puck turns Bottom the Weaver (Chris Myles), playing Pyramus into the aforementioned donkey complete with teeth, ears and ratherresplendent appendage - if you get my drift.

Egeus (David Acton) wants Demetrius (Arthur Wilson) to marry his daughter Hermia (Matthew McPherson) but she prefers Lysander (Richard Pepper). It’s the nunnery or death so they plan to elope. Helena (Dan Wheeler) tells Demetrius and pursues with Helena in tow. Puck anoints Lysander to cause considerable confusion among the Athenian couples.

There are many moments of pure magic, Helena and Hermia’s catfight is brilliant; very physical and very funny. As for the mechanicals, I have never seen this play within a play done with more hilarity. Go - it’s well worth it.

Jane Howard