PREVIEW
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Young Companies Production
May 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. and May 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Citadel Theatre
9828 – 101A Ave.
Tickets: $26.25 Visit www.citadeltheatre.com
Don’t expect to see anything heavy handed at Young Companies Production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This frothy, champagne styled Shakespearean comedy is going to be one big party.
In Shakespeare’s convoluted storyline, there are four interwoven plots including two pairs of mismatched mortal lovers and sly fairy bickering that devolves into slapstick comedy.
As the serpentine romantic comedy opens, Hermia is in love with Lysander. Her father, on the other hand wants Hermia to marry Demetrius. However, Hermia’s best friend, Helena pines for Demetrius. In desperation, the four lovers run away and disappear into a forest outside Athens.
In a parallel plot, Oberon, King of the fairies and Titania, his queen, arrive at the same forest. Titania is attending the wedding of Duke Theseus of Athens and Hippolyta, the Amazon Queen.
However, the royal fairy couple is estranged and quickly lock horns outlining ridiculous ploys to outwit the other. As plans go awry, several of the playwright’s most famous characters including the devilish Puck, donkey-eared Bottom and the Rude Mechanicals mine the play for laughs.
Since Midsummer is mounted at Citadel Theatre’s Club, director Suzie Martin has embraced the idea of turning the Bard’s traditional dark forest into a modern, glam nightclub.
“The forest is an important place of otherness away from regular activities. It’s a place where characters discover themselves. It’s a place where mortals meet fairies and are transformed,” said Martin.
Originally from Winnipeg, Martin moved to Edmonton completing an MFA thesis at the University of Alberta in directing. Her final directing project was God’s Ear, a tragic yet graceful play about the way a child’s death tears a family apart.
Due to the region’s thriving theatre culture, Martin easily found work in Edmonton. Her big break arrived after being tapped as assistant director to Citadel’s hit Shakespeare in Love.
This time around, she was invited to direct Midsummer with 14 young actors including three St. Albert residents cast in major roles. They are Sophie Healey (Hippolyta/Oberon), Aurianna McPhail (Hermia) and Conor Meadows (Demetrius).
Unlike many productions that explore the play’s darker subtexts, Martin leans towards emphasizing the quirks and caprice of love in a fun way. And tales of budding love and romance appeal to adolescents noted Martin, a state they are eager to experience.
“They’re very generous with their talent, energy and drive in doing extra things. What makes this show special is that we’re in this together and everyone is working to make it the best. In terms of entertainment and content, it really is a young company show.”
Martin also added that the aspiring young actors are eager to step into glittery nightclub styled costumes and ridiculously high heels.
“It’s a party and that’s where it’s at. It has heart. It has commitment and I’m brimming with pride. For the audience, expect to be delighted and surprised. It will be a one-of-a-kind party.”
