Skip to main content

Featured

Once Upon a Thyme by Jane Lovering #Review

  It is a pleasure to feature Jane Lovering's  Once Upon a Thyme which was published by Boldwood Books on June 24th.   All her life, Natalie Fisher has been taught not to ask questions. Why risk uncovering uncomfortable truths, when you can stay in the safety of blissful denial? Since taking over the family herb farm, Natalie has stuck with what she knows, rarely venturing much further than the nearby village where her invalid mother now lives. But then, one day, everything changes with the arrival of unexpected visitors. First comes Zeb, employed by Natalie’s mother to help with the business but soon hinting at other motives. Then comes Simon with the famous band he manages, wanting to film in Natalie’s beautiful garden. The band causes chaos and the attitude of one particular member throws Natalie’s ordered life into confusion. Over one magical summer of revelations and of uncovering secrets, Natalie starts to blossom and by the time autumn arrives she knows n...

Play: A Midsummer Night's Dream: A Play for the Nation by William Shakespeare



Performed at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon and directed by Erica Whyman

    This play has been a centrepiece of the celebrations for the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. Styled as 'A Play for the Nation', it has toured the UK for the past year and has involved local communities as never before. The parts of the Mechanicals have been played by regional amateur theatre groups and local school children have been included as 'The Fairy Train'. This alliance of amateur and professional actors seemed to give the performance real energy and exuberance. Now back in Stratford upon Avon, each of the amateur groups have been given performances in the main theatre. When we saw the play, it was the turn of The Belvoir Players from Belfast in Northern Ireland. They brought out all the humour you would expect. It was the schoolchildren who made the performance for me. Primary Schools of all shapes and sizes have had their turn but on our night, we saw Welcombe Hills Special School. It was great to see the children, included just as the mainstream children had been, and given their chance to shine. Confidence building, learning co-operation and social interaction - it was all there.
 
    Set in a 1940's post war torn world, the stark stage transformed from a cabaret inspired setting with grand piano and broken staircases and doors going to nowhere, into the magical forest shot through with red, and took the audience with it. I particularly enjoyed the exuberant Robin Goodfellow, Puck, dressed as a blend of the Artful Dodger and a Second World War spiv. There was just the right blend of mischief and spontaneity kept in check by having to carry out Oberon's wishes. The schoolchildren, Titania's Fairy Train were dressed as evacuees, which seemed appropriate, as if they were escaping from a bleak reality.

    The live music added to the atmosphere, especially in establishing a dream like context with the fairies and also at the end when the whole cast were on the stage together. The pairs of lovers were believable and on occasions had great comic timing, particularly the men. The prize for the best death must of course go to Bottom, who died in heroic over the top fashion. An amateur group playing an amateur group who are hamming it up, takes some doing. There was sincerity in each and every performance and for me, the play deserved its standing ovation. 
  





In short: A Play for the Nation
                           
                                                   If we shadows have offended.
                                                  Think but this, and all is mended,
                                                  That you have but slumber'd here
                                                  While these visions did appear.
                                                  And this weak and idle theme,
                                                 No more yielding but a dream.




My earlier post relating to my visit to Stratford upon Avon can be viewed here.

Comments

Popular Posts