A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Charterhouse Square

Covering over 1,500 miles and 80 towns, the Handlebards stop by London too, bringing Shakespeare’s comedy set in the enchanted forest to Charterhouse Square. The theatre company, celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, tours with the Bard’s most famous works across the country by the ultimate ecological means: via bike. The project’s longevity is testimony to their ethos, which is not simply connected with the urgency of current news or a sporting trend. The energy on-stage is proof of their enthusiastic engagement with the plays, and the result is total fun for every age. 

Hermia and Lysander are in love, but her father wants her to marry Demetrius. The latter is the object of Helena’s devoted affections, which, unfortunately, are not reciprocated. Hermia and Lysander run away to marry in Athens and, along the way, take refuge in the wood – the world of fairies reigned over by Oberon and Titania. The king and queen, though, are in a quarrel that eventually leads to spells being cast on the wrong lovers and Titania falling in love with an ass.

The four thespians on-stage swirl through their roles with bouncing dynamism. From the silly young lovers to the macho, full-of-himself Oberon, and the cartoonish boy in Titania’s custody to the colourful French fairies, the characters assume eccentric traits that fit well in a paradoxical and humorous interpretation. There are certainly no dull moments. Among some of the highlights are Jenny Smith’s chipper Puck and Alex Crook’s unrestrained Bottom. Despite the costumes being not particularly elaborate, one cannot avoid praising how quickly the changes happen behind the scenes, and a couple of tricks on-stage fill in for when the parts outnumber the cast members.  

The script, modulated from Shakespeare’s language, is interwoven with pieces of the original writing but often streamlined and reconstructed. Guy Hughes’s music is subtle, entering and exiting smoothly: the accordion segues in and out of crucial moments, while little bells, now played precisely, now jolly, are the herald of the magical creatures.

The very last section, the play within the play, could have been downsized; elongated as it was, and all at the very end, it felt pretty separate.

The exuberant spirit of the whole company and the slapstick, elated nature of the production, with a wide spectrum of voices and sounds (all performed live) alongside farcical movements up and down the space, combine to make this A Midsummer Night’s Dream a show that doesn’t skimp on laughter.

Cristiana Ferrauti
Photo: Tom Dixon

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is on tour from 22^nd May until 9^th September 2023. For further information or to book visit The Handlebards’ website here.