A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM by William Shakespeare; Pardoe Theatre, Harris Fine Arts Center, Brigham Young University, Provo; continues at 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays-Saturdays, through April 10. Tickets are $10 for general public and $8 for BYU students, faculty and staff. Box office: 378-4322. Running time: two hours, 25 minutes (one intermission).PROVO -- Capped off with a hilarious rendition of a play-within-a-play, Brigham Young University's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" charms its audience and ultimately leaves viewers laughing and cheering.
This is an excellent rendition of Shakespeare's classic comedy with some standout cast members and an inventive set. A heavy dose of physical comedy, with characters chasing each other about and climbing up parts of the set, adds much to the show.
On its first preview night, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" got off to a very rocky start. Actors in the first scene seemed to lack focus, with too deliberate movements and delayed entrances and line deliveries.
Fortunately, the energy level of the show jumped dramatically as actors in the second scene took the stage ready to shine, and the cast kept up that level of intensity through the remainder of the play.
Tracy Thompson as Hermia, Dax Craven as Lysander, Colleen Baum as Helena and Aaron W. Johnston as Demetrius make up a fun quartet as a magic spell confuses lovers and all four chase around the stage professing their undying love. Baum is especially good as the goofy, not-so-attractive Helena who mourns her inability to attract Demetrius and then is shocked when both Demetrius and Lysander profess their love for her.
Equally good are those playing the workers of Athens who have gathered to rehearse a play titled "Pyramus and Thisbe." This talented group is led by the antics of Marc E. Shaw as Nick Bottom, who is convinced he can perform every part in their production. The group presents the crowning scene of "Midsummer Night's Dream" when "Pyramus and Thisbe" is performed for the Athenian Court. This scene is hysterically funny and finishes off "Midsummer Night's Dream" on a high note.
Peter Brown offers an entertaining character as Puck, the unwilling servant of the Fairy King Oberon (Javen Ronald Tanner) who nevertheless enjoys heartily the mischief he has caused between the lovers.
The interesting set designed by Eric Fielding allows a wide variety of lighting effects and flexibility in blocking. Doors lined up along each side of the stage create a variety of entrances and opportunities for lights to shine onto the stage, while trap doors allow set pieces to rise up from the floor. The entire set is painted in mottled turquoise and purple, giving the stage a twilight atmosphere.
Costumes, designed by Jennifer Graff, define each of the three distinct groups of players in the show. The fairy costumes are especially nice, with a plentiful amount of ribbons, lace, ruffles and trim adding to their fanciful look.
This production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" succeeds in providing some excellent acting and entertainment as well as an abundance of humor. It is directed by Loraine Edwards.