One of the Bard's most produced comedies, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is almost actor and concept proof. Even the ART's aerial version had its moments, thanks to a strong group of rude mechanicals. Director Daniel Elihu Kramer's approach has had some less than convincing publicity concerning the gender-switching between Paula Plum and Timothy John Smith, not to mention a misleading poster. Plum plays Hippolyta and Oberon while Smith plays Theseus and Titania. The conceit works not because of insight but because of the skill of these principals, but an impressive ensemble of local Shakespeareans and fast paced direction. Plum is a multiple award winning actress and Smith is the artistic director of the Redfeather outdoor Shakespeare festival in Worchester where he teaches at the College of the Holy Cross.
The remaining six actors double and triple their way through the action. Robert Pemberton, who played Mark Anthony several seasons ago, is a stentorious Bottom assaying both "Pyramus" and a powerful Egeus. Shelley Bolman is young Lysander, in love with Egeus' daughter Hermia, and Peter Quince, the author "Pyramus and Theseus" and organizer of the troupe. Angie Jepson is petite Hermia, claimed by Risher Reddick's Demetrius, who also does Francis Flute, who of course plays "Thisbe." Jepson is a cute "Lion" as Snug the Joiner, rather different from her appearance as Cressida for the Publick Theatre. Elizabeth Hayes, seen in BTW's "The Tempest" as Miranda, is taller Helena, desperately in love with Demetrius. She also plays Snout the tinker aka "Wall." Finally Ben Lambert, who was Ferdinand in the above mentioned production, is a lithe Puck, as well as Starveling ("Moonshine"), and Philostrate.
The four young lovers also become Titania's fairies. Very basic costumes facilitate these character changes on a bare set, covered with red flowers, which might suggest field of poppies from Oz. The rather uninspired costumes, in need of more detail and touches of color are uncredited. The set conceived by Zeynep Bakkal , has a bathtub which serves mainly as Titania's bower. Puck begins and ends the play sleeping in it. The moon is symbolized by a large wall clock internally lit in blue. John R. Malinowski provides careful lighting to define various scenes. Kramer uses the open three-quarter stage economically, moving through the flowers protruding from the floor when necessary.
Transformation is indeed an important theme in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", but is more illuminated by doing this play with only eight actors than by having Plum play the King of the fairies as well as Hippolyta and Smith play Theseus and Queen Titania. He does so by simply modulating his tones. Plum is always a commanding presence onstage whether playing Shakespeare or Coward. And during "Pyramus and Thisbe" the royal couple alone do the asides which for once aren't lost in the audience laughter, a tribute to practiced projection--they're facing onstage--and superior enunciation. The entire ensemble have the experience and training to tackle both the play's verse and comedy, both romantic and low.
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