Reviews: A Midsummer Night's Dream @ The Shakespeare Theatre

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Shakespeare Theatre Company

Free For All, Sept 2, 2015

            Each year, the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC put on one Shakespeare play at the very beginning of their season that is completely free to the public. Tickets are raffled or included in a season ticket, and I was lucky enough to win a pair of tickets on the second night of this limited, two-week run.

This year, Ethan McSweeney has returned to the Shakespeare Theatre to revive his 2012 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with a few original cast members and a host of new talent as well. Adam Green has returned to reprise his portrayal of Puck, the mischievous right-hand man of the Fairy King, Oberon, now being played by Dion Johnstone. I never did see the 2012 production of this play, but from the amazing performance I saw last night, I’m very glad that they decided to revive it for the 25^th Anniversary of the Annual Free For All.

            The four lovers, are always the romantic highlight of a Midsummer, with the war between the men, to the all out brawl between Hermia and Helena while the men are enchanted. Julia Ogilvie is both pitiable and hilarious as the tall Helena, chasing after her lost love, only to gain both him and Lysander, when Puck confuses Athenian men. As her friend and foil, Chasten Harmon is an earnest Hermia with an impressive fire when it seems her love has left her. As their dueling suitors, Ralph Adriel Johnson (Demetrius) and Stephen Stocking (Lysander) are almost too enjoyable; not only in their fights, but in the special new portrayals they have brought to their characters. Stocking wears a guitar as a crooning lover, while Johnson wields a golf club a bit like a sword as a quick-tempered juxtaposition to his rival. Green’s impish Puck assists in escalating both the stakes and the comedy within the fights, pitting the men and women against one another while adding mud, water and all sorts to the entertaining chaos.

            Not to be forgotten, The Rude Mechanicals are a rare treat for anyone with an ear for classic Broadway show-tunes and a soft spot for an ambitious amateur theatre troupe. While the antics in the forest are always a source of great amusement, it is within the ‘Tragicall Comedy of Pyramis and Thisbe’ where these actors are put to the greatest use. The piece is drawn out ten-fold beyond the script as everything that can go wrong will for these poor tradesmen. I don’t want to spoil their antics for any future audience members who may decide to apply for the lottery in the next ten days, but trust that I laughed more than I have in the many versions of this scene that I have witnessed.  McSweeny and his actors have made some bold, bold choices.

            As a Free For All performance, I felt like I left the theatre absolutely spoiled by such an amazing production – from the absolutely breath taking costumes, and sets to the gorgeous music and talents on everyone on and off the stage. If you have a free night, hell if you don’t, change your plans! The Shakespeare Theatre Company has given Washingtonians access to an amazing production that is understandable, relatable, while also hilarious and magical; it is everything Shakespeare should be. Each year, the Shakespeare Theatre Company uses this first production as a way of introducing audiences to Shakespeare, and I can’t imagine a more enjoy first meeting.

Articles: "Audience Members Behaving Badly" by Rebecca Ritzel

Published August 18, 2015

"Audience Members Behaving Badly" by Rebecca Ritzel

A Response by E Robertson:

            While I was in London, alcohol was available at almost every theatre I went to – or near enough that it wasn’t a big deal to ask for a plastic glass, leave the pub and walk into a small upstairs theatre, wine in hand. Sometimes critics were even treated to free drinks (as I saw happen at both The Royal Court and Southwark Playhouse) and usually it enhanced everyone’s agreeability and enjoyment of the entire scenario. As an usher, the only thing that would upset me about drinking patrons was how much rubbish they left behind.

            Wine, beer, and other refreshments has now made it into many of our theatres in the Washington, DC area, but unlike in London and Germany –it is not have a positive effect on theatre patrons. In the Washington Post today, I read an article about two intoxicated women at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, in search of restrooms before intermission. One of the women even walked onto the stage, through the wings and interrupted an actress (not to mention the show) before her entrance. The other, was stumbling around curtains also looking for the restroom. Not only can these patrons not handle their liquor, they also cannot plan ahead for tiny bladders and go before the first act!

            If you keep up with US Theatre Happenings, you may also remember the drunk idiot who tried to plug his phone into a fake SET outlet on stage during a performance of Hand to God in New York. First, US Theatres were dealing with food, cell phones, and the occasional camera – but now people are literally walking into the performances and ruining the show for everyone, actors and audiences alike. Do we need to pass out etiquette guides along with programs as audiences walk into the theatre?

            Looking back at not only this, but American behaviour in concerts and in movie theaters – I am starting to fear for this nation. It’s not just blatantly rude, but it also speaks to our inability to pull ourselves together and act like responsible adults who know how to interact in a suitable manner for the situations in which we find ourselves. Although – if I look back at the History of Theatre – at least people aren’t publicly pissing themselves in the house or whoring in the aisles as you may have seen in the 15 and 1600’s in English Theatres. At least now they try to find the restrooms first.

            All in all – audiences had progressed and have now – to a small degree it seems, digressed. I would say that maybe some people just shouldn’t go to the theatre – but no, I disagree with that. I still think everyone should go to the theatre – but for God’s sake, know your limit, and stay in your seat until the lights go up! And trust me, the theatre is a lot older than your cell phone and that text can wait.

There it is – my rant-filled response to this article in the Washington Post. 

Happy Hump Day, everyone.