Brisbane review - Positive Response to A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream

By Lilian Harrington

Production: A Midsummers Night’s Dream

Writer: William Shakespeare 

Adapted & Directed: Leo Bradley

Company: Villanova Players

Location: The Ron Hurley Theatre Hub,

28 Tallowwood St. Seven Hills Q.4170

Season: November 7- 16 (Evg.  7 30pm, Matinees: 2 pm) 

Bookings: Try booking / or phone:0423920832

William Shakespeare is one of the most prolific writers in English history; his work has influenced many writers, students and actors, over the centuries. A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, is one of his most popular plays because it allows directors and performers to create a magical expression on stage through music, dance and the forest Faeries. It’s exciting and it draws a lot of interest and attention from all ages.

Villanova Players, under the direction of Leo Bradley, have produced an adapted version of the play and included more dance, song, and audience interaction, using “the fourth wall”. There is a large cast of enthusiastic players both young and older, including those studying the creative arts, as well as the more experienced performers; the whole ensemble makes for a very colorful spectacle.

The production opened slowly and there seemed to be a lack energy at first, but once Puck (Fraser Salisbury), got into the swing, the pace and energy picked up. His rendition of Puck, the mischievous forest imp, held audience interest.

Solid performances were seen from: Demetrius (Nikolai Stewart), Helena (Zoe Ross), King Oberon (Reece Milne) and Nick Bottom / Pyramis (Matthew Hobbs) along with some colorful work from Francis Flute Thisbe (Darian Strachan).

 Leo has included younger talent and used children as part of the Faery Chorus, along with the dancers, choreographed by Lynette Wockner. While some of the costumes and forest furniture, were not quite what one might have expected, they were for the most part bright and colorful. The faeries were attired in a bright array of colors which contrasted against the black curtained set.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream tells of four star – crossed lovers who elope to a magical forest, at the same time as a group of common thespians are rehearsing a play there for the Duke of Athens, and where the impish Puck, has been ordered by King Oberon, to put some magic drops into the eyes of Queen Titania, while she is asleep. Confusion happens when Puck takes matters further and things go “awire”. For instance, Pyramis, playing Bottom the Donkey, (Matthew Hobbs), is rehearsing the play when Puck’s magic eye drops, cause him to have contact with Titania, who is enamored with Bottom when she wakes, at the same time the magic drops mess up the lovers’ intentions and causes some dissention.

Amid the confusion and conflict that ensues, King Oberon orders Puck, to put the situation to rights though magic, so all can return to Athens for the nuptials. The materials used to indicate scene changes were covers held, or placed by the faeries or ensemble. They made a colorful array of forest trees and other shapes as necessary.  

The set was kept simple, against “the Blacks”, and it used a couple of pieces of furniture, cushions and colorfully woven covers, so changes were made effectively.

While the pace was slow at first, the momentum and energy picked up when Puck wove his magic on stage and the forest faeries danced together. The use of the dog and young talent, gave the play a natural appeal.

The production was enjoyable and the adaptation of the script, along with the background music and dance routines, made it family friendly. The audience, responded positively to A Midsummer Night’s Dream and you will too when you see it.