A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM ... DORKING HALLS (8/10/02)

PUCK - THE PERFECT PIXIE

The Grand Hall was packed. Schoolchildren, coached in from miles around, filled the auditorium while a group of local dignitaries hovered smugly in the cafe. The smell of success hung heavily on the air.

The beast of an audience, loud and impatient, was waiting for the action to begin. And they weren't disappointed. Puck came out first. After two minutes of clever repartee and an explanation of Shakespearean theatre, he held the audience in the palm of his hand. There they stayed - through the fast moving action, the splendid singing, the love potion mix-up and the amusing comedy of the mechanicals, until the end of the play.

Every girl empathised with feisty Hermia's plight - played superbly by MELISSA D'ARCY, while all (especially the boys) loved RACHEL BATTERSBY's dippy portrayal of Helena. Sultry, sexy and ethereal, LISA WILLIAM's Titania was perfect while her portrayal of Hippolyta was suitably bland. I was not convinced by PAUL TAYLOR's Oberon. He had a very strong presence on stage but his accent changed from time to time and at one point he sounded like Jeremy Clarkson.

The comic timing of the mechanicals was superb and the audience reacted well to them. MARK PEARCE as Robin Starveling really shone, as did Bottom who played the 'ass' scene with Titania to great effect. I particularly enjoyed the use of music, the use of voice-over to reinforce certain aspects of the action, and the boys' floppy swords!

Local children from Stagecoach Theatre Arts played the four fairies. Although they looked very sweet and otherworldly, they appeared and looked under-rehearsed at times and a little unsure of themselves.

BEN LANGLEY's Puck was brilliant. The perfect pixie-funny man and mischief maker - he managed to be 'hip' with the audience while imparting a lot of knowledge. The few children who switched off during traditional speeches switched on again whenever Puck entered.

This is a brilliant production. An English teacher with twenty years experience confessed "this is the first time I've really understood it!" Another said "last year's Shakespeare 4 Kidz production had a very positive effect on my schoolchildren. Their approach to the text was full of enthusiasm and confidence".

MORAG THORPE

Book/Lyrics/Director Julian Chenery
Design: Jaimie Todd
Music/Lyrics: Matt Gimblett
Costumes: Sue Shimell