A Midsummer Night's Dream Review: A Playful, Punchy Shakespeare Romcom Made Easy
The Unicorn theatre in London, in collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), presents a vibrant and accessible adaptation of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. This production, directed by Rachel Bagshaw and Robin Belfield, aims to make the Bard's romantic comedy engaging for young audiences by preserving the original language while integrating playful elements. The show runs at the Unicorn theatre until 10 May, offering a unique blend of tradition and innovation.
Balancing Accessibility and Originality
How can Shakespeare be made accessible to children? Co-directors Bagshaw and Belfield have adopted a dual approach: trimming the complex parts while immersing viewers in the original text. This results in a tightly edited version that maintains Shakespeare's language but incorporates playful captions and slapstick comedy throughout. However, the production sometimes feels caught between two worlds, struggling to fully commit to either a radical simplification or a faithful rendition.
This marks the Unicorn's first major co-production with the RSC, signaling a promising venture that is still evolving. Belfield's editing is clever, yet it could have been more daring. For instance, the framing story set in Athens, involving dukes and betrothals, has been reduced but not entirely removed, which may confuse younger viewers rather than clarify the plot.
Magical and Comic Highlights
The magical aspects of the play are handled with a gentle touch. Titania's fairies are evoked through childlike voiceovers, Holly Khan's delicate soundscape, and Will Monks' enchanting word projections that dance across Lily Arnold's arts-and-crafts-inspired set. Joséphine-Fransilja Brookman's portrayal of Puck as an impish schoolkid, climbing balconies and swinging on tyres, adds a whimsical charm to the mischief.
The most lucid and enjoyable scenes feature the rude mechanicals rehearsing their hilariously terrible play. These moments have a CBeebies panto vibe, with actors in neon costumes delivering gags with gusto. The ensemble cast excels at transitioning from heartsick lovers to hammy actors, showcasing their versatility and commitment.
Standout Performances
Boni Adeliyi delivers an excellent performance as the spurned Helena, balancing dignity in sorrow with a later transformation into a silly and skittish moon. The standout star, however, is Emmy Stonelake as Bottom. Stonelake is a natural comic and skilled Shakespearean actor, eliciting big laughs without compromising the language. When Bottom is transformed into a donkey with huge floppy ears, Stonelake's line, "This is to make an ass of me!" resonates with both humor and pathos, capturing the essence of Shakespeare made accessible yet layered.
Overall, this adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Unicorn theatre is a fun and engaging experience, best enjoyed in its comic set pieces. While it occasionally feels cluttered due to the pared-down plot, it represents a significant step in making classical theatre approachable for younger audiences, blending ease with emotional depth.
