A Midsummer Night's Dream
Leeds/Touring
 
An out and out musical with rather good songs, this is a brand new adaptation from Julian Chenery and Matt Gimblett. It stays away, for the most part, from pantomime excesses and adopts a tone of humour that puts one in mind of a David Wood show. Thankfully it is not too light-hearted. The confrontation between Titania, played by Lisa Williams, and Paul Taylor's Oberon is as dark and menacing as it should be. Williams has a spicy presence and considerable talent.

Indeed this show at the City Varieties confirms impressions of how good and how adaptable the Shakespeare 4 Kidz company cast is. Each actor is kept busy. Melissa D'Arcy plays Hermia with feisty vigour, Rachel Battersby is a deliciously daft, pig-tailed Helena.

The mechanicals are played with broad, farcical strokes and the excellent William Finkenraft, as Snug, has some memorable moments. The group moves well but these mechanicals have little dignity. They are two close to the seven dwarves in concept. Theseus does not have the opportunity to call them excellent men.

Ben Langley plays Puck and acts as a sort of MC. His banter and magic tricks are in keeping with the story and help prepare and inform the audience.
 
Kevin Berry
 
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