Review: A Midsummer Night's Dream
The Portsmouth-based Groundlings Theatre Company's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream has much that is good about it.
The cast belt out the lines with pace and energy – although sometimes too much pace as the occasional line is lost. An original opening also detracts from the important plot-laying dialogue.
The four lovers (here with Dan Avery playing not only Bottom but the superb, show-stealing 'mechanicals') do sterling work, although it's sad that Celia Muir and Sydnee Howard (Hermia and Helena) are so similar in height and colouring when so much of the later comedy between them depends on one being considerably shorter and darker than the other.
Leon Ancliffe and Lewis Robinson (Lysander and Demetrius) manage the highly-choreographed squabbling well and together the four are very much value-for-money.
The fairies perhaps don't come off as well as they might – although Lizzie is a strikingly original Puck.
Although Patric Howe, in particular, and Lauren Phelan deliver Oberon and Titania's lines precisely, one cannot believe an argument between these two would cause the crops to rot and the rivers to flood. Just not enough force-of-nature here.
An objective criticism must ask if there's a place in this show for ancient Greeks crossing themselves in a Catholic way, or references to modern culture (Doctor Who specifically). But subjectively, the first-night audience adored it.
Further performances today and tomorrow (12.30pm) and on Friday (7.30pm).
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Weather for Portsmouth
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
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Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
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