A Midsummer Night’s Dream
By William Shakespeare
Queen’s Wood, Highgate
June/ July 2003
This was our first Shakespeare production — in the magical setting of an ancient wood with an old paddling pool (drained) providing an ideal stage with bushes and trees for cover. The rim of the pool provided hard seating or places for cushions and deck chairs, picnics and drinks. The weather was superb through all the open air rehearsals and performances, right up until the final night when as Pyramus exclaimed “O grim-look'd night! O night with hue so black!” the heavens opened with a summer storm! Fairies in hoodies, a beat up Reliant and the Mechanicals' hard hats and vests provided striking contrasts to the natural setting.
“This show works like a dream indeed”
LondonNet
“An abomination of the Bard!”
Rehearsal passer-by
Cast
Hippolyta/ Titania - Sharon Bannister
Theseus/ Oberon - Gary Fordham
Helena - Fiona Gibbons
Hermia - Georgie Southern
Lysander - Matthew Scholes
Demetrius - Gary McDonagh
Egeus/ Snug/ Lion - Michael Markson
Bottom/ Pyramus - Simon Bolton
Puck - John O'Brien
Peter Quince - Paul Sayers
Peaseblossom/ Starveling/ Moonshine - Gemma France
Mustardseed/ Snout/ Wall - Zoe Grainge
Cobweb/ Flute/ Thisbe - Mike Yoxhall
Director - Paul Sayers
Assistant Director - Simon Bolton
Producer - Fiona Gibbons
Review
“The Bard's Midsummer Night's Dream is an intriguing affair, and Rooftop Theatre's inspired production makes for a fascinating production. Bewitched and bewitching, the drama exists in a curiously fantastical twilight zone.
The same could be said of the play's heroes and heroines. In a tale that sports the best trademarks of Shakespearean comedy, these star crossed lovers have plenty to imagine their way out of — chiefly a love potion misadministered by the sprightly Puck.
The company's enthusiastic response to performing in Queen's Wood capitalises on the audience's involvement. Forced to imagine that an old paddling pool is by turns a princely castle and a quiet glade, it's hard to watch without engaging. From the first entrance by scooter to the hoodlum fairies' final transformation into wacky workmen, this show works like a dream indeed.”
LondonNet