Only one word will do for the Midsummer Night’s Dream currently at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company – rollicking!
The best production of Midsummer I’ve ever seen – and the first that really had the audience roaring and laughing all the way through. Wow!
I was a bit put off by the modern dress of the principals for just a bit – until Hermia and Helena began losing their high heels, taking them off, limping around in just one shoe – adding to the general madness.
The fairies were good – the mechanicals (with my favorite Giles Davies as Flute / Thisbe) were over the top great. Oberon / Theseus, Puck and Titania / Hippolyta were excellent. Egeus played a terrific fuddy duddy. And then there were the lovers – Hermia and Lysander, Helena and Demetrius – star crossed, star struck, starry eyed. One wild and crazy situation after another, played to the hilt.
An unbelievably good play. Go recover from the stress of the holidays by laughing yourself silly! I sure feel better this morning! Even though, sitting in the front row, I nearly had the Lion in my lap last night!