Midsummer Night's Dream (A)
- Director: David Kerr
- Writer: Russell T. Davies; William Shakespeare
- Producer: Russell T. Davies; Brian Minchin
CGiii Comment
What the Hell was that?
Cheap SFX cannot compete against the magical words of the Bard...delivered by an uncomfortable cast of mixed talents...with none of them managing to recite the lines above the standard of an amateur school production.
So, Russell T. Davies thought he would update a classic that has been done - quite literally to death...well, he's managed to kill it stone dead! Lesbian kisses and gay orgies do not constitute an update!
The assumption for making this in the first place is - we assume - to introduce Shakespeare to a new generation...oops. You can literally hear the kiddies turn off and run to the sanctity of their cellphones!
As for the connoisseurs of Shakespeare...prepare yourselves for an unpalatable experience...
This is - woefully - corked!
Trailer...
Bottom meets Titania from David Kerr on Vimeo.
The(ir) Blurb...
Tyrannical dictator Theseus brings his captive bride, Amazonian queen Hippolyta, to Athens for a forced, dynastic union whilst statesman Egeus sentences his daughter Hermia to death for spurning arranged marriage to Demetrius in favour of true love Lysander, with whom she escapes to the woods. Demetrius follows, along with Helena who is besotted with him. Also in the woods a group of amateur actors, including pompous Nick Bottom, are rehearsing a play to perform at the ducal wedding. All are unaware that the fairy rulers of the woods. Oberon and Titania are engaged in a feud with Oberon taking revenge on his wife, helped by the sprite Puck, which involves her falling in love with the first person she sees - namely Bottom wearing a donkey's head. The four lovers are similarly bewitched by the charm and much confusion results before order is restored and the play goes ahead, with the fairies ensuring happy endings - for those who deserve it.
Cast & Characters
Matt Lucas as Bottom;
John Hannah as Theseus;
Nonso Anozie as Oberon;
Maxine Peake as Titania;
Richard Wilson as Starveling;
Eleanor Matsuura as Hippolyta;
Bernard Cribbins as Snout;
Colin McFarlane as Egeus;
Elaine Paige as Mistress Quince;
Sarah Sharman as Courtier;
Elliot Levey as Philostrate;
Fisayo Akinade as Flute;
Javone Prince as Snug;
Matthew Tennyson as Lysander;
Varada Sethu as Peaseblossom