The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema & Tv
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
      • Shows
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureTheatre

BBC Culture in Quarantine: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare’s Globe

BBC Culture in Quarantine: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare’s Globe | Theatre review
28 April 2020
Emma-Jane Betts
Avatar
Emma-Jane Betts
28 April 2020

The 2016 Globe production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a fresh and modern take on a theatrical classic, reviving Shakespeare for the audience of today. But despite the originality and energy of the performance, this production struggles to fully immerse new viewers watching from behind a screen.

Shakespeare’s story is a well-known and beloved comedy. A Midsummer Night’s Dream revolves around a group of lovers who get mixed up in troubles between the queen and king of the fairies, resulting in mishaps, misgivings and multiple laughs. The 2016 rendition, directed by Emma Rice, takes Shakespeare’s script and flings it into the 21st century. Set in modern times, we see a diverse cast and a gay romance make the production new, relevant and representative of our society. Rice has successfully adapted the classic tale in a manner that will excite and appease Shakespeare lovers as well as those who yearn for fresh new theatre. The production itself looks amazing, full of energy and clear artistic vision. But what lets down this new viewing of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the lack of preparation for its footage to be watched years later.

The “live” recording, available through the BBC’s ongoing Shakespeare in Quarantine collection on iPlayer, truly provides a window into life four years ago. We see people outside in large crowds, smiling and drinking Starbucks, and are given a description of how the live experience of the Globe is what makes the performances on the famous stage so memorable. Although we are given some interesting insights into the production, it seems odd to include multiple segments and interviews describing how fabulous life outside is for a collection dedicated to helping people cope with lockdown. The recording has not been altered in the slightest, which although endearing at points, feels as if it was a missed opportunity to make the production more engaging for the viewer at home.

Despite its occasional lack of self-awareness, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is an outstanding adaptation of Shakespeare’s original work. It is an experience that while not perfect, makes for a great evening of entertainment.

★★★★★

Emma-Jane Betts
Photo: Steve Tanner

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 23rd April 2020. For further information about the BBC’s Culture in Quarantine project visit the BBC website here.

Related Itemsreview

More in Theatre

The Secret Connection – Online

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

Cruise – Online

★★★★★
Emma-Jane Betts
Read More

A Splinter of Ice at Cheltenham Everyman Theatre Online

★★★★★
Francis Nash
Read More

Distance Remaining – Online

★★★★★
Sophia Moss
Read More

Doppler: Grid Iron theatre company document the story so far

★★★★★
Mersa Auda
Read More

Disenchanted Online

★★★★★
Regan Harle
Read More

Thick’n’Fast: General Secretary Online

★★★★★
Sylvia Unerman
Read More

Living Newspaper – Edition Three at the Royal Court Theatre Online

★★★★★
Selina Begum
Read More

Hysterical! The Hilarious History of Hystery at Theatre Royal Stratford East Online

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Theatre review

Emma-Jane Betts

A Midsummer Night's Dream

★★★★★

Dates

From 23rd April 2020

Price

Free

Links & directions

TwitterInstagramFacebookWebsiteMap

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • London’s best pizzas for takeaway and delivery
    Food & Drinks
  • The Year Earth Changed
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Cruise – Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Syml – Dim EP
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Birdy at Wilton’s Music Hall Online
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • London’s Michelin-starred restaurants open al fresco right now – and all those re-opening in May
    Food & Drinks
  • Ride or Die
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!
    ★★★★★
    netflix
  • Live from the Barbican: Moses Boyd
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Weezer with the LA Philharmonic and YOLA at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Online
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • London’s Michelin-starred restaurants open al fresco right now – and all those re-opening in May
    Food & Drinks
  • Live from the Barbican: Moses Boyd
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • The Secret Connection – Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Cruise – Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Birdy at Wilton’s Music Hall Online
    ★★★★★
    Live music
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

The Importance of Being Earnest at Curve Theatre Leicester Online | Theatre review
BBC Culture in Quarantine: Hamlet at the RSC Online | Theatre review