A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Octagon Theatre, Bolton

THE debate as to whether or not time and place should be tampered with in Shakespeare’s plays will rage for as long as his work is staged, but if the Bard was to witness this mesmerising production he would surely send a sonnet of approval in the direction of the Octagon.

Director David Thacker’s decision to set his version in the 1960s is a winner; the comedy, the message, the sensuality, the dream-like scenarios entirely befitting of the time.

Designer Ashley Shairp’s stage is simply stunning as is his costume design. Influenced by the psychedelic art and music of the era, and the moral dilemmas and temptations thrown up by the summer of love, the set is utterly lavish, with the woods resembling a ball pit, kaleidoscopic in colour and forever moving as the actors kick the spheres around as they run up and down stairs and across the virtual playground of a forest.

Titania’s bower, clad in green astroturf and with a pink retractable roof, proved a particularly inspired move.

The play is sexy, druggy in mood and, for those who don’t believe Shakespeare is funny — and, in the case of some of his comedies, I include myself here — in parts it’s hilarious.

Lovers Hermia and Lysander and Helena and Demetrius take centre stage as they flee to the woods to escape the tyranny of Theseus’ regime and a Magical Mystery Tour of chaos reigns.

Kieran Hill is fantastic as the charismatic Nick Bottom, as is Paula Jennings as the irresistible Titania.

Vanessa Kirby is equally brilliant as the determined manhunter Helena, with Rosie Jones, Jake Norton and Nick Underwood equally good as the other lovers.

Elsewhere, the court, the fairy court and mechanicals, including the excellent Russell Dixon and the wonderfully minxy tap-dancing Kiruna Stamell, are all deserving of special mention.

The side-splitting play within a play, the scene in the bower, Bottom’s transformation into a sex-crazed donkey and a truly inspired final scene make this a must-see.

Andrew Mosley

* Runs until March 6

* Tickets 01204 520661 or at octagonbolton.co.uk