Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream - Chatsworth Players
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| Chatsworth Players perform A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare pictured are members of the cast A Summer 2023 touring production |
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Shakespeare's amusing tale of mix up and mayhem has been toured across open air venues of the North Peak District by Chatsworth Players this July. The reviewer attended the final date in Darley Dale where company members gave quality performances despite having to deal with cloud bursts of heavy rain and dampness underfoot.
Chris Rooke plays Oberon, King of the Fairies, he and G. Day as Hermia, are transfixing in their delivery of poetic speech.
The troope of actors from the playscript itself have country dialects and provide much of the comedy; with Stuart McLean being everything you'd want Bottom to be.
Most scenes take place within the forest, in Act 3, after the enchantment of Lysander (Will Cousins) and Demetrius (Tom Dawes) has occurred, they are both pursuing the confused Helena (Mia Luft) who is unaware of the reasons behind her new popularity. Hermia tussles with all three and is both hurt and offended in equal measures.
Some notable performances by the youngsters in the cast - wonderful! However, the talent of S. Day as Puck is the key performance. Day's body pose, balance and voice intonation is exceptional and he plays violin (in a fiddle style) like a dream! Turn up the volume of the insta video that appears at the foot of this review and listen out for it.
Costume and make-up is authentic, in fact, all the design elements work for its outdoor presentation with tech staff operating the light and sound from the back of a van.
This is not the first open air theatre tour by Chatsworth Players but it is their first production of a Shakespeare play. The company, which consists of a mix of its original core members and many who have joined along the way, are consistently presenting a varied mix of hugely entertaining stage shows, expertly led by director, Lindsay Jackson.
A Midsummer Night's Dream is so special and it is firmly rooted in the fantastical experience it provides. This comedy favourite feels earthy and ancient. The whole play is closely associated around the traditions we attach to folklore, but its exploration of people's sense of duty to their elders and the pains of young love and rejection is timelessly human.
Some notable performances by the youngsters in the cast - wonderful! However, the talent of S. Day as Puck is the key performance. Day's body pose, balance and voice intonation is exceptional and he plays violin (in a fiddle style) like a dream! Turn up the volume of the insta video that appears at the foot of this review and listen out for it.
Costume and make-up is authentic, in fact, all the design elements work for its outdoor presentation with tech staff operating the light and sound from the back of a van.
This is not the first open air theatre tour by Chatsworth Players but it is their first production of a Shakespeare play. The company, which consists of a mix of its original core members and many who have joined along the way, are consistently presenting a varied mix of hugely entertaining stage shows, expertly led by director, Lindsay Jackson.
A Midsummer Night's Dream is so special and it is firmly rooted in the fantastical experience it provides. This comedy favourite feels earthy and ancient. The whole play is closely associated around the traditions we attach to folklore, but its exploration of people's sense of duty to their elders and the pains of young love and rejection is timelessly human.
Theatre critic, Debra Hall, attended the performance as a press guest at The Whitworth Centre, Darley Dale, Derbyshire on Saturday 15 July 2023 at 7.00pm
References
Chatsworth Players Printed Programme A Midsummer Night's Dream (2023)
online:
https://www.chatsworthplayers.com/whats-on
**ENDS**
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