SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Photograph by Charlie Lyne

ADAPTED BY TOBY HULSE

THEATRE: THE LARGE

Wednesday – Saturday: 7pm

Saturday: 2.30pm

Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes with no interval

The perfect Shakespeare for Gen Alpha and Gen Z

 ★★★★☆

If like me you have always found the language, plots and relationships of Shakespeare difficult to follow then this is your gateway into a joyous world full of capers, mayhem and adventure.

This whip smart adaptation of Midsummer night’s dream is set in the early 1900s sees a group of children putting on a play for their elderly relative and more importantly iced buns. The girls have had enough of the boys always setting the tone of previous plays with constant themes of fights and deaths and insist that it’s their turn to tell a story with fairies, magic, and love.

This allows the audience to clearly understand the various plot points and cleverly lead them through this Shakespearean classic. We switch between the gang setting out what’s going to happen and who will play each character and then watch as they act out the play in Shakespearean English occasionally breaking back into children’s character to discuss plot or roles.

 Even though at one point we were watching a play about a play about a play (if you don’t know the original plot of midsummer night’s dream, it’s worth watching!) the whole audience was on board, and I never felt lost.  

Its smart and razor sharp, hilarious, and fast moving with many laughs out loud moments. The high-octane pace easily maintains its 90-minute run time.

Set in a huge playroom with piano and rocking horse, the colourful set and costumes are used to reinforce the idea of children just playing, with tablecloths used for cloaks and a curtain rod as a fairy staff. I particularly liked the rose-tinted sunglasses worn by anyone under the spell of the magical love potion.

Even though its suitable for every generation, I believe it’s a perfect way for Generation Alpha and Z to experience the chaotic joy and fun of Shakespeare’s best comedy as well as exploring  issues of jealousy and unrequited love.

It’s an enchanting, highly energetic and funny reimagining of Shakespeare’s best comedy and easily deserves 4.5 stars.   

STAR GUEST REVIEW

A first review by Fintan (Age 12)

 “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, currently showing at Southwark Playhouse, is a beautifully written play with a talented cast of actors. Despite containing some of Shakespeare’s original script, it is easily understandable thanks to the child characters stopping and explaining the plot to one another whenever things get confusing. I found these moments very funny as the children often disagreed over what the play should contain, whether it was fairies, a dramatic death, or a lion. Sometimes volunteers from the audience were given small roles with their own costumes and props. Altogether, it was an enjoyable and memorable experience throughout and one I would recommend to anyone.

Tickets From £20 Standard | From £16 Concessions | £16 Previews | £10 Pioneers' Preview (5 Sep) | £75 Family Ticket (4 tickets)