DREAM OF A SHOW FOR KIDS
 
Review - A Midsummer Night's Dream; Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
 
Hundreds of children in a packed audience loved every minute of this musical adaptation of Shakespeare's amusing play set in ancient Athens.

Surprised? Well, you wouldn't be if you saw it performed by this brilliant company, Shakespeare 4 Kidz, who are making the Bard's work more popular with schools than a half-term break.

The cheers and applause from the youngsters at the end told its own story. They had been entertained in some style.

The clever cast made the tale easy to follow, with some really catchy tunes linking the action, and Ben Langley was a genuine star as the mischievous Puck, attendant to Oberon, King of the Fairies.

He even paraded a range of magical tricks and juggling that delighted the kids ... and their teachers!

Mark Lyminster gave a sparkling performance as Nick Bottom, the weaver, who ends up with the head of an ass on his shoulders, thanks to Puck. Matthew Harper plays Demetrius with a Black Country accent, while Melissa D'Arcy (Hermia), Rachel Battersby (Helena) and Lisa Williams (Hippolyta) sing beautifully.

Shakespeare 4 Kidz are back in the Midlands again on November 21 and 22 when they bring Midsummer Night's Dream to the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.

Paul Marston