Unlike Cardenio, there's no question that A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's plays. And although he was inspired by English folklore and classical myth, many of the characters are his own creations. (Shakespeare scholar Professor Stanley Wells suggests that Oberon could even be compared to Shakespeare himself.)
Being a comedy, it's clear from the start that this story of mistaken identities, unrequited love, and magic that is the stuff of dreams will end well. But it's still such fun to make the journey there. "[In] his comic scenes, he seems to produce without labour, what no labour can improve," dramatist Ben Jonson once wrote. "His tragedy seems to be skill, his comedy instinct."
Written between 1590 and 1596, the work lost favour during the restoration period (Samuel Pepys described the 1662 revival as "the most insipid and ridiculous play I ever saw in my life") but gained new interest in the 19th century as a way of showcasing elaborate costumes and sets. Since then, A Midsummer Night's Dream has been adapted for opera, ballet, television, and film.
This production is the play's sixth staging at Maynardville since the open-air theatre began in 1957. But unlike director Fred Abrahamse's 2002 adaptation, which had a psychedelic 60s vibe, the current version is set in a luxury Athenian game lodge (although it might as well be somewhere in Africa, what with the colourful touches like the way everyone pronounces "Quince" with a click).
In addition to some really funny moments, like the staging of the play within the play, A Midsummer Night's Dream has such a fun cast. It includes Marcel Meyer as the commanding Theseus/Oberon, Terence Bridgett as the scene-stealing Bottom/Pyramus, Hannah Borthwick as the hapless Helena, and Sven Ruygrok as the acrobatic Puck. Together with Meyer's beautifully designed costumes as well as the dazzling lasers and lights, the result is so engaging that I barely noticed the drizzle that unsuccessfully tried to dampen the mood. Dreams don't get sweeter!
A Midsummer Night's Dream is at Cape Town's Maynardville Open-Air Theatre until 9 March. Tickets are available from Computicket or by calling +27 (0)21 421 7695. Oh, and whether you come early for a picnic in the park or arrive just in time for the show, make sure you bring a blanket and warm clothes because it gets quite chilly.
