Illyria Theatre Company: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Logie Steading - 28/07/22
Shakespeare’s perfect play within a play. Concord from discord, harmony from chaos, lovers at war, ‘spirits of another sort’ treading the groves “with morning’s love have oft made sport”. All set in the make-believe world of Shakespeare’s Athens. Or in this case, the courtyard of Logie Steading - not unlike the courtyards of the public ale houses of Southwark. Illyria hit just the right mood at this, the third of their 35-venue tour. Fortunately, a fine but slightly chilly evening (this is the Highlands!) found the company performing in this delightful gem of a venue near Forres. Playing to a packed house, some who had arrived early to set out their picnic tables and outdoor seats, the enthusiastic cast of five delivered the full text with energy and panache. Sometimes the key speeches were lost between Titania and Oberon. “These are the forgeries of jealousy” and “I know a bank where the wild thyme blows”, but as the five strong cast were playing nineteen characters plus the odd fairy or two, this can be forgiven. I had wondered how the director would stage the interchanges, when at some point two characters meet being played by the same actor. Well, the versatility of the cast and with some clever quick changes, accents, delivery, and use of voices off they succeeded admirably. If you know the play well, you will know what I mean. Sometimes a bit manic but always in the spirit of live entertainment. How they remembered which person they were playing, which costume they wore, at the same time delivering the text was a testament to good rehearsal discipline and professional direction by Oliver Gray. Apparently, his favourite of Shakespeare’s plays which he has directed six times over the past thirty years.
The company for this show is blessed with a strong cast of three blokes and two women. 6ft 3in Lily Carter of course is cast as Helena “thou painted maypole” and makes an imperious Titania with an upper-class accent. She reminded me of Princess Anne. Whereas petite Sarah Coyne of course plays Hermia “counterfeit puppet” and a delightful Robin Goodfellow, or Puck. Richard Blackman is another chameleon from Lysander to Thisbe and many more. Chris Laishley and Nathan Richard Smith make terrific work of Theseus, Oberon, Nick Bottom, Demetrius and various servants, mechanicals, and courtiers. Of course, the most perfect comedy sketch ever written brings the high jinks to its finale. Phew! As the dusk fell on this atmospheric location in the beautiful Highlands the stage lights illuminated the ‘very pink’ simple set and the fairies appeared with lanterns to bring the dream to a close. At times, this production leans heavily on the comedy side, and sometimes the poetry of the text recedes but I loved it. But it delivered, even including a jig which made it feel even more authentic. Of course, the show ends with the perfect lines “give me your hands if we be friends and Robin shall restore amends”. Cue applause! Shakespeare certainly knew how to end a show. And Illyria certainly know how make it all work. Bravo to the company and bravo to Panny at Logie for continuing to bring live theatre to this rural idyll.
