Past Productions – Drama

A Midsummers Night’s Dream – March 2008

da capo students from elementary and intermediate drama classes impressed all those who came to watch their Shakespearean production of ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’. The story follows the twisted love lives of Hermia, Helena, Lysander and Demetrius through love triangles and broken hearts.

Our story begins with Hermia (Claire Tonry) being told she must comply with her fathers wishes to marry his chosen suitor for her, Demetrius, played by Greg Kite. By Athenian law Hermia must marry the chosen suitor or face death. Hermia elopes with her true love Lysander (Tim Norford) into the forest at night. Hermia only tells her best friend, Helena (Rebecca Truscott-Elves) who has recently been rejected by Demetrius. Hermia decides to try and win back Demetrius’ affection by telling him of her friend’s plans to elope. Hermia and Lysander sleep in the woods unaware they are being followed by Demetrius.

Oberon and Titania, played by Kelsey Brazier, King and Queen of the fairies have a key role to play in the story. They are estranged for Titania refuses to give her page boy up to Oberon as a henchman. Oberon decides to punish Titania and recruits the mischievous Puck, played by Tiffany Murphy, to make Titania fall in love, using a magical juice, with a beast of the forest and distract her from her pageboy. Titania ventures into the forest followed by her fairy servants, Peaseblossom, played by Emily Royles, Cobweb, played by Rebecca Thick, Moth, played by Bethany Neame and Mustardseed, played by Sally White. Oberon was portrayed as a puppet, another acting challenge mastered by the students with Tim Norford delivering the voice of Oberon and the movements being performed by Emily Royles and Yasmin Downie.

Oberon also sees the cruelty of Demetrius towards Helena and instructs Puck to use the magical juice on the eyelids of “the young Athenian man”. Puck confuses Demetrius with Lysander and instead spreads the juice of the eyelids of Lysander, who falls in love with Helena. Oberon sees Demetrius still pursuing Hermia and is enraged, so sends Puck to get Helena whilst he charms the eyes of Demetrius. Both young men are now fighting over Helena due to Pucks errors. Helena is however convinced that she is being mocked by the men as neither loved her originally. The four quarrel long into the night until they decide to duel to the death. Oberon instead orders Puck to rectify his mistakes and charm Lysander for Hermia to prevent them killing each other.

Meanwhile the “rude mechanicals” as they are dubbed by Puck are putting on a play, “Pyramus and Thisbe” for the wedding of the Duke. Performing are Quince, a carpenter leading the troupe played by Yasmin Downie, Starveling, a tailor played by Rebecca Thick, Snout, a tinker played by Bethany Neame, Snug, a joiner played by Sally White and Francis Flute, a bellows-mender played by Emily Royles. Bottom, a weaver plays Pyramus in the play and is the target of Puck’s next mischievous trick. Puck transforms Bottom’s head into that of a donkey. Titania awakes to Bottoms singing and instantly falls in love with him. In her state of devotion to Bottom Titania gives up her pageboy and Oberon has achieved his goal. Oberon releases Titania and orders Puck to remove Bottoms donkey head. The magical charm is removed from Lysander but remains on Demetrius so he will reciprocate Helena’s love.

Theseus rules over Hermia’s father and allows both young couples to marry in a double wedding. As night again falls the house, its occupants and the future children of the newlyweds are blessed by the King and Queen of the fairies. Puck delivers a soliloquy to close the play, beautifully delivered by Tiffany.

All cast members rose to the occasion and the end resulted in far too many shining performances to single anyone out.  A mention though must go to the ensemble cast members who really did take their roles to heart and by doing so raised the level for everyone concerned. Katie, the drama teacher, kept her cool during some hysterically funny rehearsals and put her own individual slant on the comedy.  Lots of praise came from delighted audience members many of whom asked for ‘another drama production very soon please’