Midnight Circle have completely nailed it with their new rendition of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” - capturing the heart of Shakespeare’s text while making it feel fun, fresh, and genuinely exciting from start to finish. The energy never dipped once.
They’ve always been brilliant at keeping theatre raw and real, but this production feels like a new level. Cecilie Fray’s direction is honestly phenomenal - there’s so much detail in every moment, and the way she keeps the whole thing flowing so seamlessly is nothing short of genius. Directing a full-length Shakespeare is no small feat, and she made it look effortless.
The cast were exceptional and every single one of them gave it their all. It’s rare to see such consistent commitment across a big ensemble, especially with Shakespeare, but they were completely in it. Not a line fumbled, not a moment wasted. Nadia Lamin was hilarious as Helena - her over-the-top devotion to Demetrius had the whole audience howling. Sam Bird as Puck brought such great energy and playfulness (plus he plays the ukulele beautifully!), and one of the standouts for me was the “play within a play” scene. Jed McLoughlin (Bottom) and Charlie MacRae-Tod (Flute) had me crying with laughter when Flute’s delicate grieving suddenly turned into a full-blown Scottish revenge monologue. There’s also gorgeous live music throughout. Titania (played by Kennedy Jopson) has a stunning voice that brought a real magic to the stage.
Honestly, this show is a must-see. Whether you love theatre, comedy, music or just want a great night out, A Midsummer’s Nightmare is pure joy. Midnight Circle have outdone themselves.
Review: Bibi Lucille