Perfect blend of comic tragedy and tragic comedy

NEVER has audience participation come as such a joyous shock.

The audience for A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Wednesday evening was probably expecting a play with as much gravitas as merry solemnity.

However, the Globe on Tour performed one of Shakespeare’s most well-loved plays as a perfect blend of comic tragedy and tragic comedy.

With the beautiful setting of the romantic 14th-century ruined castle as a backdrop and fairies wearing tailcoats and masks and holding cigarette holders while wearing flashing LED wings playing in a grove, the scene was set.

Lovers Hermia (Hara Yannas) and Lysander (Mark Quarterly), Helena (Louise Ford) and Demetrius (Leon Williams), danced a merry spell under the influence of “Cupid’s fiery shaft”.

Oberon and Titania (Simon Merrels and Jasmine Hyde) teased out their quarrel with such aplomb that no mere mortal could resist their charm.

The Mechanicals had such a flair that you could not help but laugh. This was emphasised by the “tedious brief scene” with “tragic mirth” of their play set out for the Duke and Bottom’s (William Mannering) “dream that hath no bottom”, a heart-rending dream for all involved, full of jokes and braying.

Bethan Walker, who played Puck and Snug the joiner, was a delight to watch. Dressed in cabaret-style clothes, she weaved in and out of the audience ruffling a hair there, teasing out a smile here.

Walker’s performance of “that shrewd and knavish sprite” was mischievous and lively, perfectly complementing the performance.

When questioned, Mark Quarterly (Lysander/Francis Flute/Moth) called the audience warm and praised Wardour Castle for its perfect setting.

Charlotte Mortimer-Talman