| You might think a dynamic, witty and coherent production of A Midsummer Night's Dream would be beyond the scope of teenagers. In that case you would underate what can be learned in 18 months at the hands of director Mark Oldknow. ...it was clear Young Theatre at Beaconsfield had absorbed a variety of stagecraft skills .... |
| The play was in the dress of our time and ..(with) ..one prop, a large sloping bed ... Three doors in line were used both for going in and out and as frames in which characters could assume stati poses ... the actors had to be careful about the timing of exits and entrances. Attention was given to groupings and placings ... from time time the bed was used for energetic choreographed somersaults and springs, leatherclad legs flying. At others it was the bank on which the various couples dallied.. they even managed dance routines on it. |
| Lysander (Peter Sharman) and Demetrius (Jamie Ivens) made the best of the comedy. Long-legged and queenly Georgina Strawson as Titania .. fell for Bottom whom Phil Macken infused with his own humour. Jess Pengilly was a very capable Helena ... Suzie Buckley as Puck and Beth Eyre (Quince) were impressive too. Ben Watsnage ...an impressive Theseus. Nikki Matthews as Egeus, mother of Hermia (Rosie Earp) came storming onto the stage littered with couples just as mothers do after an all-night party! |
Frances Chiddell : Bucks Advertiser |