March 2004
Shakespeare 4 Kidz A Midsummer Night's Dream - Cliffs Pavilion, Southend

RIVETED YOUNGSTERS!

Over the years I have heard excellent reports of the standard of productions of Shakespeare 4 Kidz. However, I really did not expect to laugh as I did at this excellent production of a musical "Dream", featuring the brilliant BEN LANGLEY as a so imaginative Puck, full of impish humour, mime and sheer vitality.

Ben captured the audience of 800 youngsters from his first appearance in a prologue before the curtain proper and their reactions rose to a roar of approval at the restart while he always seemed to keep them riveted to their seats. Just great stuff - but then add on one of the funniest mechanical finales I have seen in years led by MARK LYMINSTER's nicely overplayed Bottom and you have something more than a bit special.

The other great things about this production are its sheer pace and just that touch of broadness of humour which got the players on the young audience's side.

This "Dream" has fourteen musical numbers in its seventy minutes or so playing time and they really add a lot of fun and essential magic to the show while cutting out some of the less essential love scenes but retaining the best of the Bard's verse. ALI JAMES and CARLY ROMAIN make a nicely contrasting Hermia and Helena in both looks and accent and the director uses the same concept between ADAM PENFOLD and RICHARD SHORT's Lysander and Demetrius.

The production fitted well on the bid stage and made full use of all the lighting and sound facilities on offer. It is a great introduction to stage Shakespeare for youngsters. I just hope they won't be disappointed when they move on to some far less imaginative productions for adults!

JIM KENNEDY