A Midsummer Night's Dream

SLIGO'S Blue Raincoat continue an original exploration of form and physical theatre in its new production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. However this production is imbued with a new dynamic energy which transcends the dream like texture of earlier productions, and presents a surprisingly naturalistic version of one of Shakespeare's most whimsical plays.

In a generally strong and capable cast, the women are particularly impressive. Iseult Golden gives a fiery and passionate performance as Hermia against a disarmingly human and heartfelt Helena as played by Derry Anne McEvoy. Sian Quill is a fine Titania, while Fiona McGeown's capricious, mercurial Puck is otherworldly yet, totally convincing, an appropriately unruly accomplice to Kevin Quinn's Oberon.

The play, bravely presented in one act, is deftly directed by Niall Henry, whose use of highly choreographed movement serves to augment the play's text rather than distract from it, interweaving intricate physical shapes through which the action is presented. He also taps a rich vein of comedy that exists, not only in the obvious humour of the red nosed "rude mechanicals", but throughout the play as a whole. The set design, also by Henry, is minimal but effective, providing an appropriate and undistracting arena. A fine, intelligent and extremely enjoyable production. No fools, these mortals.