On Friday 27th January, The Young Shakespeare Company enthralled the Thirds with their workshop on A Midsummer Nights Dream.
With a simple set which consisted of nothing more than a drape to represent a wall, the actors brought the play to life from the moment they asked for volunteers and all hands went up. The production educated and entertained. Bottom was wonderfully exuberant, sulking, strutting and roaring as he attempted to upstage the rest of the Mechanicals. The gymnastic Pucks first entrance saw him perform the worm move backwards across the hall before he performed an impressive standing jump on to the stage.
The girls were actively involved in the performance as audience, sound effects and players. They divided into groups to create the sounds of the wood outside Athens as wolves, owls, rain, wind and magic, and shared the opening lines of Titania and Oberons fiery dispute over the changeling boy. Amber Hill gained an early taste of power playing the part of Theseus, treated to the whole year group saluting her, Happy be Theseus, Duke of Athens. Poppy Jacobs played Helena, Chiara Abdini, Lysander, Zainab Ahmed, Hermia and Maya Haruni, Demetrius – all responded clearly to direction to bring out the plots many confusions and mishaps.
The Young Shakespeare Company gave us an exciting afternoon and enhanced the girls knowledge and enjoyment of this favourite Shakespeare comedy.
Anna Phillips, Teacher of English and Drama.
