Both plays begin in the same format like many of Propeller's performances. The actors on stage, setting the scene from before the auditiorium doors open. A modern set with tall metal shutters stage right and upper stage filled with random graffiti, seaside fairy lights hanging above the stage and most of the actors dressed in summer wear, ranging from sombreros, bright coloured trousers and football shirts. I felt like I had immediately been taken on a summer holiday journey as The Comedy of Errors opens at the Lyceum Theatre.
A minimalist but detailed approach from A Midsummer Nights dream set with an object covered with a white sheet centre stage, set upon a netted backdrop with a life guard stlyle high chair stage left and right covered with a grey voile, which we later see the king and queen of the fairies, Oberon and Titania spring from. In one sense you could say chairs play a very important part of the set with a dozen attached to each other in mid air on stage. Silver chains with a harmonica attached and all white costumes and a blue wash light set on stage the audience are immediately invited to an evening with all male fairies.
The comedy in The Comedy of Errors during Act 1 was extremely slapstick with many over exaggerated hand gestures and mixed responses from the audience, but nevertheless a few laughs were made and in no time it was the end of Act 1. This is quite possibly the shortest act of any play I have seen not to mention a Shakespeare play. I can safely admit this is by far the shortest play to be written by William Shakespeare.
Ultimate comedy flows throughout Act 1 for A Midsummer nights dream with Puck opening the play centre stage coming out of a box and taking us on a journey through a very witty and funny version of swan lake with dancers humming and sounding each harmonica as the fairies prance around Puck. Dressed in a tutu with red and white pinstripe braces and tights to match, your instantly drawn to the witty wacky way comedy is portrayed by Propeller.
The fourth wall is completely smashed at the beginning of Act 2 when an American police like man with an acoustic guitar captures a female member of the audiences eye. Strumming on his guitar as he gazes into her eyes, he asks "will you marry me?" In an awful Spanish accent, sure did set the scene for more comedy moments to come at the expense of other peoples embarrassing misfortunes. Then the Cabernet begins with Playboy meets drag act to further then encounter disco diva meets Sister Act provided a very amusing and uplifting scene with high energy. This reminded me of scenes from the Itv drama Benidorm and had me in fits of laughter.
Bottom's role by far stands out for me as the award winning comedic character within the play and certainly this performance of A Midsummer Nights Dream. Chris Myles fantastic comedy timing is spot on sending the audience to carry through a great deal of belly laughter not to mention the Ass' costume which had me laughing for a very long time. I won't explain what the costume is as I think one needs to see to believe this hilarious hype.
Propeller are known for many things, the obvious being an all male theatre company but also for their impromptu musical number during the interval. This surprised me during The Comedy of Errors as they performed nothing. As this is Propeller they never fail to surprise as they retreated back to their infamous ways of giving the audience a run for their theatre ticket money by performing popular mash up numbers with cast members singing and playing a variety of instruments in a bid to raise money for Genes for Genes charity.
Typical Shakespeare to do a play within a play gives the players performance yet more comedic clarity as we see an outstanding performance from the players with Bottom/The Ass taking centre stage with his amusing never ending death, possibly due to the fact his sword was a plunger! A lovely moment arose after the players had performed their play in which all characters watching the play then became players accompanied with folk dance sequences as an array of string, woodwind and percussion instruments were played. A beautiful way to get the audience involved clapping in time to the beat and even a tap of the feet if you are really feeling the beat!
1 week 2 Shakespeare plays deserves an outstanding round of applause to a brilliant, focused, connected cast with everyone proving they have the comedic flair not to mention impeccable timing. This makes it clear as to why Edward Hall chose to do The Comedy of Errors and A Midsummer Nights Dream because each actor is simply funny as fudge!
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