Atri Banerjee's production of Shakespeare's comic romance at Regent's Park Open Air theatre leans heavily into music, with rock star characters and a fairy folk band. The magic comes in the music, as characters occasionally grab a handheld mic for musical numbers. Maimuna Memon composes the lovely folk-infused melodies that accompany the drama. Titania's fairy crew are a supercool four-piece group playing electric guitar, violin, keyboard and other instruments. Theseus is a rock star, and so is Puck.
Sound design and set create atmosphere
Max Pappenheim's sound design enthrals, with tweeting birds merging with those in the park. Naomi Dawson's set opens up to the forest world, with open doors leading from the artificial to the real. A banner reads “This Green Plot”, and a dressing rail is tucked in the backdrop.
Dual plotlines and modern touches
The show feels slightly less smooth in its conjoined stories: the forthcoming wedding of Hippolyta (Jenny Rainsford) and Theseus (Olivier Huband), the dispute between fairy king and queen Oberon (also Huband) and Titania (also Rainsford), the antics of runaway lovers in the forest, and the comedy of the mechanicals. There is modernity and humour, particularly through Bottom (Nadeem Islam), who is D/deaf and brings sign language and fabulous physical comedy. However, some innovation appears borrowed from the school of Jamie Lloyd; the set's stairs may differentiate worlds but seem derivative of the bleachers in Lloyd's Evita.
Costumes and verse delivery
Characters and costumes have a hipsterish look with cool contemporary wear crossed with period flecks like ruffles and puffball skirts. Wry modern-day asides such as “I see you” and “Be cool” do not jar but play into a sense of parallel time. Yet some of the beauty of the verse is muted in the cast's mouths. The wisdoms on love and illusion are faithfully there – “Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind” – but they float unanchored.
Performances and highlights
The doubling up of royal couples is not distinctive enough, and Theseus and Hippolyta's chemistry is unconvincing. Other couples work better: Hermia (Hiftu Quasem) is a rebel daughter running away with Lysander (Misia Butler). Helena (Mary Malone) is a highlight, with wonderfully tortured comedy from her unrequited love for Demetrius (Terique Jarrett). Puck (Georgia Bruce) pours “love in idleness” into eyes, sings, and banters, becoming a compere to the gig in spirit. The mechanicals bring great ticklish fun, but the pace slows, and their play is too long and laboured.
Overall, this is a dreamy production in look and sound, but you do not feel quite entered into its enchantments. At Regent's Park Open Air theatre, London, until 18 July.
