A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Review
Wakey, Wakey super stars…
Sheridan Smith and David Walliams conquer the West End in a triumphal dream
It must feel like that Sheridan Smith and David Walliams are living in dream land after their resounding triumph as stars of Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Noel Coward theatre in London’s west End.
Sheridan Smith is no stranger to success on the London stage winning an Olivier award for her portrayal of Elle in Legally Blond the musical at the Savoy theatre. Recently Sheridan has starred in Trevor Nunn’s heart-wrenching staging of Flight Path and Terence Rattigan’s tear-jerker about RAF Bomber Command in World War II, for which she won her a second Olivier award. Her role in Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler was inspiring so it is no surprise that Sheridan is sensational as fairy Queen Titania and Hippolyta.
Alongside Sheridan Smith is David Walliams with his donkey ears as Bottom. Both are superb in this fast moving production from director Michael Gandage. The show evokes the spirit of the 60’s with sex, drugs and some incense. David Walliams is superbly cast as Bottom using all his natural comedic talents. Sheridan brings an effortless charm and vigour to her character.
The supporting cast contribute well and the set and design are superb. The production is gritty and powerful with a more modern take. Shakespeare’s tale about lust, mistaken identity, love potions that are inadvertently administered and the absurdity of a beautiful maiden in love with a donkey are all beautifully recounted in this absolutely brilliant play about love and sexual freedom.
Tickets for A Midsummer Night’s Dream on sale now
