12 July 2011 (released)
23 July 2011
One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays – the magical A Midsummer Night’s Dream gets an inspired and unique makeover in this open-air production – performed at Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington, North London.
While the concept of staging Shakespeare’s delightful comedy in a cemetery might seem a tad on the morbid side (if not unsuitable altogether) then here it makes perfect sense, for Titania and Oberon as well as the fairy spirits are also meant to be spirits of the dead – dressed in mock-Victorian attire. Trust me, not only does it look incredibly atmospheric (see pic), but nothing is lost as far as charm and humour are concerned.
There really is little point in going into the plot – or the three interlocking plots shall we say - as most folk will be familiar with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. So let’s concentrate on the concept of this production. Various scenes from the play are acted out at various spots in the cemetery. A guide will lead the audience from one place to another, paths being lit by lanterns. The prologue and first act are performed outside the cemetery chapel, that’s also where the last act and epilogue take place.
All the cast of eighteen players are excellent, with Frank Fitzpatrick, Emma Vane and Dominique Gerrard playing double-parts (Theseus/Oberon, Hippolytoa/Titania and Philostrate/Puck respectively).
The last scene in which the actors (that’s the ‘actors’ within the play) perform to Theseus and Hippolyta is a hoot to watch, it’s complete fun and the right level of camp to make this a unique and highly entertaining detour from the usually rather straight-laced take on it.
“If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumbered here
While these visions did appear.”
Directed by Owen Lewis, produced by Zoe Robinson and with sets designed by Madeleine Hunter and costumes by Hatty Ellis-Coward, there’s also live guitar music to enjoy.
Obviously, this being an open-air production it depends on the weather whether a performance will take place or not! As long as it looks like it might be a midsummer night’s drizzle, then it does go ahead and rain capes are handed out. In the unfortunate case of heavy downpours, well, there won’t be any midsummer night magic acted out.
For those interested, the play runs until 31st July and visitors should assemble no later than 7.25pm outside Abney Park Cemetery (entrance Church Street). You can get to Stoke Newington either by British Rail, or by taking the Northern line as far as Angel and from there take the Nr. 73 bus to ‘Stokey’ – bus stop is ‘Bouverie Road’ and that’s literally outside the Church Street cemetery entrance!
(Thanks to Haydn Schaare for providing the photos)
