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Review of Changeling Theatre tour A Midsummer Night's Dream at Fort Amherst

07:00, 16 July 2021

updated: 08:20, 16 July 2021

If ever there was a play that the Changeling Theatre's outdoor summer tour was made for, it's Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Set in an enchanted forest at the height of summer, where love and desire mingle with nature, it has fast-paced action, humour and an intertwining plot that keeps you guessing.

Changeling Theatre are touring with A Midsummer Night's Dream
Changeling Theatre are touring with A Midsummer Night's Dream

It sums up everything Changeling do so well - and they do it all in the middle of summer.

Last night, a lucky socially-distanced crowd sat down as the sun set over the River Medway in the secluded grounds of Fort Amherst in Chatham to enjoy A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Director Rob Forknall has again created a team who are so at ease with eachother, they can ad lib with one another, jump on and even rip the clothes off eachother like they're lifelong friends.

Sometimes it's hard to believe how the young cast are able to keep their energy levels up, and this play particularly highlighted this. They pranced, they danced and they strutted as they took Shakespeare's script and ran with it - at times, literally.

I would single out individual performances, but I don't think it would be fair as there wasn't anyone who doesn't deserve a mention.

Changeling Theatre at Fort Amherst
Changeling Theatre at Fort Amherst

One thing which can be singled out, however, is the costumes, as a lot of them had sequins and sparkles, and they shone in the evening sun, and caught the last of the day's rays as the sun set towards the end of the first half.

Changeling Theatre at Fort Amherst - touring with A Midsummer Night's Dream
Changeling Theatre at Fort Amherst - touring with A Midsummer Night's Dream

The show featured superb acting, hectic direction, perfect lighting and some unlikely dance routines, plus lots and lots of laughs. If you can catch it at one of its outdoor settings this summer, you'll have an enchanting night.

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