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November 22, 2005
Shakespeare classic done to perfection
It began with a lone figure slouching in a chair on a dimly lit stage in the Anne Simley Theater and ended
with a standing ovation and exclamations of amazement.
Hamline University Theater Department’s performance of Shakespearefs classic tragic comedy, A
Midsummer Night’s Dream, closed last Saturday night to a sold out crowd that couldn’t get enough of the actors and their seemingly infinite talent. Students expertly recounted a story of conflicted lovers, foolish quarrels, calamitous searches, ludicrous theatricals and strange transformations. Also included were striking monologues, hilarious physical humor, even breaking into the song and dance with an uproarious rendition of the Partridge family hit single “I Think I Love You,” towards the end.
For those who are not familiar Midsummer, follows the colliding paths of two sets of young lovers, a king and queen of a fairy world nearby, and a group of hard working men set upon laboring in their minds to put on a short drama in celebration of Duke Theseus’ wedding day.
It may sound confusing, but the caliber of these young actors made it easy to follow and even easier to listen to; none of the accents were overdone and it was a rare moment when it was hard to hear the lines executed, not to mention that their physical acting was outstanding.
The best example of this was the scene involving the four young lovers in the woods. Hermia, played by Ruth Kohtz, and Lysander, Connor Bohne, had decided to elope and stopped in the woods for the night. Lysander wakes to find himself head over heels for Hermia’s best friend Helena, played beautifully by Maggie Anthony, who just so happens to be chasing the object of her infatuation, Demetrius, played by Alex Pennell. After a short nap, Demetrius also finds himself madly in love with Helena. She decides they are playing a cruel joke on her, despite Hermia’s protests. The antics of the suitors to get the attention of their divine nymph and get rid of Hermia were sidesplitting.
Shakespeare was brilliant to think of all the comedy that could possibly be fit into one play, but without good actors it makes it all in vain.
Fortunately, no one in Anne Simley had any reason to be disappointed with this amazing show. Helena and Nick Bottom, played by Simon Wallace, performed some of the most powerful monologues written, although they slightly outshone other main characters.
The fairy royalty Oberon and Titania, played by Patrick Rieger and Leah Starr respectively, and Oberon’s sarcastic sidekick Puck, Tim Daly, also commanded attention when they were on stage. This was the first time in over fifty years Hamline had produced this famous play that reminds us how foolish “even cruel humans” can be to one another in the name of love according to director Jeff Turner, and it was well worth the wait.
Posted by msveum at November 22, 2005 11:17 AM
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