A Midsummer Nights Dream The Lowry Review
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Lowry, Manchester
26 February to 1 March 2014
Reviewed by Debbie Tasker
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare is performed by Propellers incredible all male cast and boy do they smash it. The whole show was full of fun, mischief and wit and we really enjoyed it.
I wasn’t too sure if a male cast could pull it off. I need not have worried every member of the company played their characters with perfection.
On the eve of a wedding the fairies in the enchanted wood play havoc with four young lovers. Meanwhile as their lives become entangled a group of workmen are preparing for a stage show. As we were sat waiting for the performance to begin one by one the fairies entered the stage and sat quietly watching us! I found this quite eerie but at the same time magical. Artistic Director Edward Hall creates the atmosphere with a set of white lace, ribbons, sheets and antique chairs, the latter suspended around the stage in rows. They are all made plenty of use off as are the harmonicas and whistles and at one point harps for the music element.
Costumes are great, the “ladies” had us in stitches and the donkey is brilliant. The whole cast have white faces and some have over the top make up, but it all fits in beautifully and doesn’t seem bizarre at all.
A special mention should go to Matthew McPherson his portrayal of Hermia, a beautiful young lady, and Snug, shall we say a “simple” joiner, are tremendous. He is an actor I shall be watching out for in the future. Chris Myles playing Bottom the weaver also deserves a mention he has enormous stage presence and perfect comic timing. His Donkey was superb. The workman’s play had the whole audience laughing out loud at their slapstick antics.
We get a happy ending which is always a good thing and left feeling full of the whimsical that is A Midsummers Night’s Dream.
If you get a chance to purchase tickets I can’t recommend it highly enough. A great night of entertainment. I will be watching out for Propeller productions.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £15 to £23 (includes £2 booking fee).
For more information or to book tickets click here or call the Box Office on 0843 208 6000.
