A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare 4 Kidz
It is hard to believe that I’ve been in this editor’s chair for two years and not seen an S4K production. But on a chilly November night, I broke my duck and headed for the Ashcroft Theatre in Croydon to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
This version is an absolute hoot and a super introduction to Shakespeare. My young companion did not stop laughing from the moment Puck stepped out to address the audience to the utterly fabulous ending.
This was pure panto with a storyline that will be familiar to any young person who has seen a Christmas show. That is NOT a criticism, by the way. The young audience would recognise cases of mistaken identity, a good fairy, the bossy king, clever queen and star-crossed lovers. For that reason the producers should use more of the original text because the story is told so well that I hazard their ears would become quickly tuned in.
Stand out performances were Puck (Noel Andrew Harron) and Bottom, who was played with assured brilliance and timing by Sean Luckham. Brilliant.
The tour runs until April. For details go to www.shakespeare4kidz.com