It’s a scorching 38-degree day, the sun is beating down fire-like rays, and I cannot stop sweating, and yet, when I am welcomed into Williamstown Botanic Gardens, everything feels a little bit cooler. Leaves en masse create dappled shade, and as I am guided on where to put my seat, my body temperature drops ever so slightly as my excitement rises.
I am here today to see Ozacts Midsummer Night’s Dream and, as an avid Shakespeare lover and student of the performing arts myself, this little clearing in these gardens suits me perfectly. A stretch of rope lines off the stage of gravel and grass, and shortly after, the play begins!
There truly is no better play well suited to a clearing in the gardens than a Midsummer Night’s Dream, and this company made full use of the different entrances and exits that were allowed in this setting. It truly felt as if the audience were a birds’ eye into the forest where all this beautifully comedic mayhem took place.
The beauty of this stage was that, apart from some pillows and blankets, the set design was stunningly simplistic and fully allowed the actors to tell the story without getting caught up in props and tidbits.
There was an attempt at sound and music, but as it was a rather open space, this got slightly lost. However, when heard, it created an ambience that further told the story in all its glory.
I want to give a (virtual) round of applause to every actor in this show. Each character had such a solid foundation, and I felt like I knew who they were. As an ensemble, each joke, each moment, and each word bounced superbly between both them and the audience. It was truly something magnificent to behold.
However, a special mention must go out to a few of this magic ensemble. LYSANDER, played by Ryan Stormland (who also played the Lion), had comedic timing as quick as a whip. As the Lion, the true feeling of just wanting to be involved was spot on, and as Lysander, each insult to Hermia(played by Kim Devitt) not only rolled off the tongue so splendidly but truly hit home not just to Hermia but also to us as an audience. HELENA, played by Maddie Roberts, (who also played ensemble parts) also displayed such a captivating array of feelings, from confused to offended to deeply madly in love, I fell for it all as hard as she fell for Demetrius!
All of this was further emphasised by gorgeous costumes. I loved the concept of Nick Bottom(played by Andy Delves) having donkey ears attached to his top hat and this reveal openly made me cackle. Titania’s costume was also an absolute sight to behold and created such a stunning silhouette which Carli Jones used to full advantage.
It’s so difficult to get an audience to understand Shakespeare, especially if they know nothing beforehand, but as a part of that audience, this ensemble transported us to a frolicking forest of fairies and fickle love that made us laugh, gasp and openly cringe and I would have it no other way. So if you wish to while away a balmy afternoon, I would highly suggest checking out Ozact and their Shakespeare in the Gardens. You will not be disappointed!
To book tickets to A Midsummer Nights Dream, please visit https://www.ozact.com/home/dates-locations/
This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.
