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A Sentimental Journey
Film
This is a shocking, replenishing film, not to be missed
Green Zone
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It is great that Bruno Loubet is back — and at prices that are eminently fair
Bistro Bruno Loubet
The action and direction are superb and the acting good, but the plot is so pathetic it defies belief
Wonderful - beautifully acted and gloriously funny, particularly Simon Russell Beale and Fiona Shaw
Probably the most important photography exhibition london has ever seen
London,
Barry Millington's rating
Reader rating
Description: An adaptation of Shakespeare's romantic comedy.
Only last week I was complaining that the Barbican Hall was not the Bayreuth Festspielhaus or the Augustinerkirche in Vienna. Without such luminous spaces something of the spiritual quality of Wagner’s Parsifal or a Bruckner Mass inevitably gets lost.
No such problems with the venue for this performance of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream complete with Mendelssohn’s subtly evocative incidental music. The magnificent Elizabethan Middle Temple Hall is not only contemporaneous with the play but even played host to the first recorded performance of Twelfth Night, possibly with Shakespeare in the cast.
It proved a challenge to create a platform area large enough to contain both the OAE and the actors but director Tim Carroll made skilful use of what he had: by causing his actors to weave in and out of the orchestra, he drew attention to the play’s musical references. Props such as a trombone, a saxophone and a pair of horn bells (for the ass’s ears) sounded a similar note.
Perhaps unavoidably, musical standards were occasionally compromised (though Charles Hazlewood conducted stylishly), while genuinely theatrical sparks were struck only intermittently. The rude mechanicals’ play came alive, however.
Daniel Rigby and Alex Hassell both came into their own here — they also played Demetrius and Lysander. Elena Pavli was equally resourceful as Hermia, Quince and the First Fairy. Martin Turner put his resonant voice to excellent use as Oberon and Theseus, while John Paul Connolly was an engaging Bottom.
The BBC filmed the whole thing as part of its Mendelssohn anniversary celebrations and the result can be seen on BBC television on Sunday night, or on the Radio 3 website until December.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
I really enjoyed this production on line so much so that I shared it with several friends who have also thought it very good.
I would like to have a permanent record of it so I hope it comes out in a DVD.
- Bridget Johnstone, Kings Langley
An embarrassingly awful experience; super music - dreadful drama. The mechanical's play was toe-curlingly unfunny and the acting throughout leaden and cliched. What a disappointment and what a terrible tribute to that great composer Mendelssohn. The audience didn't look at all engaged and must have been resenting every penny they paid for a ticket.
- Fergus Longstaff, York
