A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a magical comedy of love, mischief and donkeys which delights the mind and stuns with the quality of acting from these young performers.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s most magical comedy is currently playing at Southwark Playhouse Borough and is claimed to be for anyone aged 8 – 88 and the perfect introduction for those new to Shakespeare’s plays. As I’ve never seen, or read, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this sounded like the perfect thing to try out in a bid to open my mind more to the work of Shakespeare.
Set in London in 1905, on a wet and dreary afternoon, the Jenkins siblings decide to put on a play to stave off their boredom (and for iced buns) and perform for their Nanny.
Daisy Ann Fletcher (The Doncastrian Chalk Circle, National Theatre and CAST) plays the bossy sister who insists on taking all the best roles for herself, coming up with inventive ways to multi-role so she doesn’t have to admit she has bitten off more than she can chew. The character reminded me a lot of growing up with my older sister and Daisy managed to balance whiney and annoying with sweet and likeable.
Fintan Hayeck (Sleeping Beauty, Oxford Playhouse) plays the typical boy who will not, under any circumstances, play a fairy and he will only take part in the play if he gets to die a grizzly death. A brilliant performance here from Fintan, especially when he transforms into donkey ‘Bottom’.
The entire cast of this production shocked me with how brilliant they all are as actors (and at such a young age). They each gave the part everything they had and it was a joy to watch.
Lara Grace Ilori (Up(Beat), Southwark Playhouse Borough) is hilarious as the quietly mischievous cousin who is really just happy to be allowed to take part in the activity.
Andy Umerah (Ted Lasso, Apple TV) is warm and charming and Martin Bassindale (Hellboy: The Crooked Man) gives the most Shakespearian performance of the group.
It is Dewi Wykes (The Famous Five – A New Musical, Chichester Festival Theatre) who steals the show though as a ‘naughty fairy’, causing mischief throughout and with a real sincerity to his performance.
Toby Hulse‘s direction, mixed with these stunning performances, makes for a delightful eighty minutes of theatre. I left the theatre feeling ten years younger and with a little magic in my heart. Highly recommended to all!
★★★★★
West End Wilma
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is playing at Southwark Playhouse until 27 September 2025
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