Review: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Reading Rep Theatre

Photo credit: Harry Elletson

There isn’t a single work of Shakespeare that hasn’t been reimagined countless times with different scenarios and settings. Reading Rep Theatres “Reborn” season welcomes a new, delightfully daft version of A Midsummer Nights Dream. 

It tells of a troupe of actors rehearsing a show to perform for the Queen as part of her upcoming Jubilee celebrations. In true Midsummer Nights Dream style, it is a play within a play. We join the performers in a theatre space full of unused sets and busy costume rails, and witness both their rehearsal process and the show they are putting together. 

The six strong cast of performers focus on the story of the unlucky in love foursome of Hermia, Helena, Demetrius and Lysander (Charlotte Warner, Beth Eyre, Jonty Peach and Mark Desebrock respectively)  and their adventures in the woods outside Athens. 

The technical elements of the show are simple, but effective. The lighting, while in the present day rehearsal room, is clear and bright, but in the woods is colourful and full of shadows, with a beautiful looming full moon lit in different colours as the story progresses. Festoons loop through the lighting rig to add an outdoorsy festival feel to the space, which ties in well with the modernity of the adaptation. 

The costume rails onstage come into their own as the cast add simple additions to their rehearsal clothes to connote which of the many characters they are currently portraying. The frequent breaks into humorous musical numbers keep the pace pithy and the audience engaged, and it is during these moments that Amy Ambrose really shines. As well as playing a very cheeky Queen of the Fairies, she leads the song and dance routines with a zeal which draws the eye and gets the audience’s feet tapping along. 

Dave Fishley completes the company as a forceful Oberon and a wonderfully obtuse Bottom. The cast compliment each other well, the gentle direction by Paul Stacey and the considered lighting and sound design all come together to create an enjoyable 85 minutes of theatre. 

This irreverent and timely retelling of A Midsummer Nights Dream is a reminder that Shakespeare’s tales can still be both relevant and heartwarming, some 450 years after they were first penned. 

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Sarah Brown

A Midsummer Nights Dream runs at Reading Rep Theatre until 5 June, with tickets available here.