On Saturday I went to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Weston Park. It was one of those occasions where you turn up early and do a posh picnic, so we did. As soon as the food was all laid out it started to rain!!! Out came the fishing and golfing umbrellas which kept us and the food dry.
On arrival the stage wasn’t set up because the theatre company had been caught up in traffic. It gave us the unique opportunity to see the stage being set up and how it worked, which included a bit of audience participation to say if the audio was loud enough.
We had left the fishing umbrella up just in case; the people behind us said it was fine and they could still see the stage. Then a strange rude man appeared and said “are you going to take that down or are we going to move”. Hmm! why didn’t he just, say could you put the umbrella down please because we can’t see? When I checked him out a little later he wasn’t even sat facing the stage.
Luckily the rain held off for the performance and only started up again once it had finished.
The performance was played for laughs and was magical, with the cast rushing of into the distant trees and running through the audience quite alarmingly at times. The acting and characterisation were excellent, with only 5 actors to play all the parts. It was a very modern take on the theme and very cleverly done.
Samuel Pepys had this to say about the play:
The most insipid ridiculous play that ever I saw in my life…
Cor! There’s always one!
Isn’t there just!!!
What a face ache!
That bloke was yes
Sounds fabuluous, including the notorious British weather.
It was fun and the weather did give us all something to laugh about
Oops – fabulous.
I am sorry about the moaning but I was exchanging looks with a lady… ahem. Did any sheep make it into the play at all?
Funny you should say that but 3 did manage to escape…
Lovely photos. I love seeing Shakespeare plays performed outside.
I think outdoor performances are wonderful, just have to dodge British weather
I’m sure you had fun despite the weather, but it would have been nice to have clear skies. Interesting performance, by the sounds of it.
I was a bit irritated at the beginning with the weather, but it gave us something to talk about later
The performance was clever and fun.
I once saw “As you like it” done in similar fashion. Very good.
I’ve just finished reading the Concise Pepys — took me nearly three years. I had to think how long the prolix one would have taken.
I have never read Pepys. How long is the concise version?
Thanks for visiting
Haven’t attended outdoor performance of Shakespeare since leaving the West Country; this post brought back some lovely memories – and sounds great fun! Glad you enjoyed it.
Outdoor performances are great fun, but we are at the mercies of the English summers
That sounds great fun. We usually have an outdoor Shakespeare company in the summer round here. I must try to go this year.
Give it a go, I am sure you will find it fun
Five actors, setting the stage themselves … hm … not sure if it’s the same company I feel reminded of. Could it be they performed in the small town two miles from Seanhenge, four or five years ago?
Open air, in a private garden, the trees lining the riverside, rustling behind the stage – and … ah, to cut it short: One of the most impressive McBeth performances, I ever saw; somehow a Midsummernight’s Dream …
Interesting how a post is able to bring back memories, hm?
Well it could just be…
So glad I brought back happy memories for you