News > Spoleto Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

“Though she be but little, she is fierce”

“The course of true love never did run smooth”

“The lunatic, lover, and poet are of imagination all compact”

“Lord, what fools these mortals be!”

Chances are you’ve heard these quotes before. They are from this very play,

by that one rascally genius many moons ago, William Shakespeare.

First off, I LOVE Shakespeare. I spent many of my college days with super heavy Shakespearean books in my hands. And A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of my all-time favorites of his plays so I was already excited to see this interpretation of it for this year’s Spoleto Festival.

All I have to say is:  If you can only see one Spoleto performance this year, make it this one!  It’s so AMAZING. JUST AMAZING. 

Oberon in Midsummer Night's Dream

From the cast members (fully in character) interacting with the audience before the show to the costumes to the scene changes to the puppets, everything was flawless. I could go on and on raving about all the details but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone because it really is so inventive and fresh. The way they show the characters of Puck and Bottom are priceless and won’t soon be forgotten. How effectively they used simple things such as pieces of wood to create movements and personalities was impressive.

Two important things to note: 1. This is definitely a show for adults. There is a lot of humor that is not appropriate for children or those that are easily offended.   2. I think this would be entertaining (because it’s amazingly funny) to just about anyone because Shakespeare is, well, a badass. However, I’m pretty sure those who knew the story got more out of it, so read up on the ole classic beforehand.

Puppets in a Midsummer Night's Dream

I would go see it again in a heartbeat.  A huge “bravo” and standing ovation to Bristol Old Vic’s Artistic Director Tom Morris and South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company’s Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler.

Well played, puckish knaves. Well played.

See all the performance dates at the Dock Street Theatre and purchase tickets here.

“If we shadows have offended, 
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumbered here
While these visions did appear.”