MIDSUMMER
NIGHTS DREAM
Directed by Mark Jones
WINNER OF A NODA AWARD :
Best Supporting Actress : Joanne Cunliffe as Helena
CAST
Dave Reid
Lekani Dodd
Andy Burke
Barry Callander
Alan Levesley
Nick Ainsworth
William Duffin
John Ginty
Claire Musgrave
Oliver Franklin
Joanne Cunliffe
James Rogerson
Denise Mulhearn
Zoe Duffin
Hannah Liddle
Nicola Stringfellow
Jenn Litwinski
Alex Brown
Caity Keller
Libby Burke
Kate Burke
NODA
Review by Colin Magenty
A timeless play that happens on a night in Midsummer — and
no one dies!!! amazing. Well, none the night I saw it!
This was an interesting interpretation, bringing it up to
present day; it was an entertaining production, which had
several excellent moments and performances to match. There
were two scenes but the scene in the wood was very well
done, and the lighting helped to obtain the right ambience.
David Reid held the stage as Oberon and his delivery was
spot on. Denise Mulhearn, his Queen, also gave a regal
portrayal and her scene with Bottom was very good.
Bottom played by Alan Levesley tended to be o-t-t and
shouted too much so that we lost the dialogue and thus the
character.
The people in the play within a play did well, with Barry
Callender as Peter Quince doing a grand job of keeping them
in check: nice characterisation this.
We also had four smashing performances from the young
lovers, Oliver Franklin as Lysander and Claire Musgrave as
Hermia. Claire needed to project a little more; at times
her diction/projection let her down.
Joanne Cunliffe as Helena acted well along with James
Rogerson who gave a strong performance as Demetrius.
To end this review I will mention the character whom the
Bard lets have the last word, Zoe Duffin who played the
role of Puck.
This was a lovely portrayal from body movements to the make
up. However, again we lost words now and then because of
lowering the voice too much. But it was still a very good
performance. My thanks to the company for an entertaining
evening.
