A Message from Midsummer

Dream

by Katie Abbott, based on William Shakespeare

RSS Young Actors’ Company at the Mary Wallace Theatre, Twickenham until 23rd February

Review by Milly Stephens, one of our younger reviewers (aged 14)

Dream is performed by an outstanding cast of twenty-three talented young actors from Richmond Shakespeare Society’s (RSS) Young Actors Company. Dream is an adapted version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed and reworked with an environmental message by Katie Abbott.

The set design by Jo Moles was very innovative with four green hammocks, giving lots of levels to the stage, where the on-looking fairies could perch. This made the audience feel more included in the play as you almost felt like you were one of the fairies watching over the world. I also thought that the costumes and makeup by Miriam King and Izzy Timpson were very creative and made the show feel even more magical and mysterious. I also was impressed by the lighting and sound designed by Paul Nicholson and John Pyle as it gave the effect of a mystical forest and was used to reflect the intention of the script very efficiently.

The young actors all had very strong performances and engaged the audience very well. I would like to give a special mention to Jake Neill-Knight, who played Oberon, as he could always capture the audiences’ attention with his presence, and was very engaging to watch as he was a very convincing Oberon. I also thought that Krishnan Miller-Pullen did an outstanding performance as Theseus, and even though he had a minor speaking role, he sung five beautiful and angelic solos with his guitar and he was always invested in his role, which is what I think makes a great actor. Nicole Kasumu and Charlie Lacey-Harrison added loads of emotion into the play. Nicole, as First Fairy managed to leave the audience feeling moved and motivated to change the way we live, after everything she said. Also, on the other hand Charlie, as Quince, added humour into the scenes, especially when Bottom, Kieran Judd, annoyed him. I think that they both added a good balance to the show as it had a moral message, but wasn’t too down hearted.

Overall, it was an excellent show and I would highly recommend it to anyone who would like to have a light-hearted evening with an environment slant.

Milly Stephens
February 2020

Photography by Tom Shore