A Midsummer Night’s Dream

(seen at the preview performance on 22nd June 2026)

Maybe it only works for musicals, because this third time the Open Air Theatre is using an “all staircase” set (Naomi Dawson). It is one fug-ugly plywood affair, for a hugely disappointing evening.

Director Atri Banerjee seems to take “student production” as his theme, with no discernible concept to carry us through what should be a magical evening.

The programme notes hint only at “inclusivity” – Bottom (Nadeem Islam) is d/Deaf and his lines are a mixture of signing, spoken and spoken by others. A fine clown, he appealed to a large section of the audience.

Mary Malone is Helena with a true Shakespearean elegance in handling the text. Third time the monkey has seen her work, and she does just get better on each occasion.

Unfortunately, Banerjee blows his credentials in a horrible sequence during which Australian Harriet Gordon-Anderson mocks the English accent. It embarrasses not only herself, but the entire production. Still, credit to her for incorporating an audience response with a neat ad-lib.

The rest is an odd mixture, as every character appears to be in their own version of the play, sometimes meshing for a scene, other times totally oblivious to everyone else throughout.

Georgia Bruce deserves a far better production for her sprite of a Puck. Ad-libbing freely, growing in confidence as she girdles the theatre (big girdle), and an amusing turn as wedding co-ordinator.

Rori Hawthorn as Cobweb is a Lily Allen presence, with a strong voice. Her interpretations make Maimuna Memon’s music one of the few triumphs of the night.

Hiftu Quasem is an independent Hermia, amusing as she lays out her night-time routine. Intellectual rather than fiery, she back her Lysander (Misia Butler) upstage to sleep.

He in turn is an amiable suitor, but there is no chemistry between either them or indeed Helena and her Demitrius (Terique Jarrett).

That the monkey is picking out individuals rather than commenting on the entire production is exactly how this feels.

Fitting into this jigsaw, 'Pyramus and Thisbe' is beautifully costumed, but is mostly inaudible and invisible – crowded at the back of the stage.

Under a covered section it is, at least, weatherproof. As indeed the entire show proves to be. Despite the heatwave week, it poured from 10 minutes before the interval until 10 minutes before the end. An extended interval, plus one show stop to mop the stage, could not defeat them.

Despite this bravery, two pigeons putting in some serious lovemaking on the speaker cable over the stage, just as Hermia and Lysander are attempting likewise when they arrived in the wood, proves the highlight of the evening.

Such timing, rather than this production, is the thing that dreams are made of. Alas.

The monkey advises checking performance times on your tickets and that performances are happening as scheduled, before travelling.

Venue Box Office & Current Prices

LoveTheatre.com

Lovetheatre.com. Charge around 10% booking fee per ticket. They are owned by Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) and often have good deals on shows at ATG venues.

See Tickets

See Tickets. Charge around 10% booking fee per ticket, plus £2.75 per booking (not per ticket) postal charge. They are owned by ticketing group Eventim.

TodayTix

TodayTix. Charge between 10% and 20% booking fee per ticket. Discounts are often available as this is a large global ticketing company with this specific aim.

London Theatre Direct

Londontheatredirect.com. Charge between 10% and 25% booking fee per ticket. Discounts are frequently available. Part of Trafalgar Theatre Group, known for customer service and unique offers.