Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s Globe

It has become quite a tradition for me over the past four years to see a show at Shakespeare’s Globe when the summer comes around. Each year I come back excited to see what’s on offer at this historical landmark, and this year was no exception. A Midsummer Night’s Dream was an extraordinary example of why Shakespeare’s work has continued to be loved throughout the centuries. Set in a contemporary modern world, this classic tale of fairies, mischief and love is told  in a whimsical comedy that makes the air feel electric.

Without a weak link in the chain, the whole cast has star quality that supports and uplifts each other throughout each scene. The whole cast has clear enunciation that can be heard though the whole audience without microphones, showcasing impeccable skill when speaking the poetic, rhythmic words of Shakespeare’s writing. Adrian Richards as Bottom has incredible stage presence, often filling the stage with his exaggerated movements and wide facial expressions. An equally memorable performance by Michael Grady-Hall delivers Puck with an unapologetic demeanour, armed with a bubble gun and well-timed wit. Each character has a strong identity that stands out as well-developed, drawn from the original text but with some carefully considered modern updates.

Emily Lim directs the piece with community at the forefront. You can really see this in the immersive nature of her directive choices; this production would not be the same without the audience participation embedded throughout. Do not be put off by the concept of audience participation, as the well-prepared cast meets the audience where they’re at and each audience member can join in as much or as little as suits them (I can only encourage it myself!). Truly making each performance unique, the group involvement keeps the audience engaged and the cast on their toes.

I’ve often thought that the unique architecture of the Globe might restrain the design capabilities, but after seeing multiple shows here I can confidently say this is not the case. Aldo Vázquez has designed a beautiful forest that quite literally grows before your eyes, with moving parts, working water fountains and a flower canopy.  Paired with his brightly-coloured and texture-heavy costumes, the fair folk and mortals of Athens collide in a magical setting fit for a royal wedding. 

The audience also gets the joy of having the musicians visible, sat on the stage balcony, something Globe Theatre productions readily facilitate. They play along with the spoken word to build tension, express celebration or more often than not a lot of mischief! Short musical interludes from the multitalented cast and scored by the band are evenly spread throughout the show. Of these, the most notable is the final song of the show that once again involves the audience and reminds us of the very important themes of kindness and love towards each other and the planet we call home, which remain as relevant now as they were back then.

With such an affordable starting price of £5-10 for standing tickets, this production cannot be recommended enough. A Midsummer Night’s Dream overflows with joy, and with community taking centre stage, you can leave your worries at the door. There is no better place to wait for the sun to go down than from inside this one-of-a-kind theatre, enjoying a timeless tale. The laughter is still ringing in my ears; this work will be talked about for a long time after the last curtain call.

Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Emily Lim
Design by Aldo Vázquez
Music director: Richard Henry
Movement Director: Emma Farnell-Watson
Composer: Jim Fortune
Costume Design Concept: Fly Davis
Costume Supervisor: Jacquie Davies
Fight and Intimacy Director: Haruka Kuroda
Orchestrator and Arranger: Zac Gvi

A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs at Shakespeare’s Globe until Saturday 29 August