A Midsummer Night's Dream - La Boite
Shakespeare's love rectangle and meddling magical creatures awaken in the Australian suburbs.
Overview
Another week, another Shakespeare adaptation treads the boards ‚ but don’t dare think you’ve seen it all before. As theatrical minds continue to be driven to tweak the bard’s texts in different directions, much of the fun stems from the varying interpretations, as well as the many modernising touches that often result.
In both areas, La Boite’s new take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream promises to deliver beyond the enchanted lovers, fools and fairies fans already know and love. Here, writer and director Benjamin Schostakowski (of A Tribute of Sorts) uproots the charmed romantic tale from Athens to a nostalgia-tinged vision of the ordinary Australian neighbourhood.
The story still centres on a love rectangle, amateur actors rehearsing a play, an impending wedding and the interference of magical creatures. Just add lava lamps, slide nights and macrame wall-hangings for an over-the-top local spin both offbeat and amusing.
