Note to self: Shakespeare reads immensely better once seen. At least for me.
I thoroughly enjoyed the performance on Friday — sure, it was amateurs, and the actor who played Puck was young and he rushed his lines, but the the actor playing Bottom was hilarious, as were the other leads. But because I had seen it, and had the basic gist of who was whom and where they were going and what was supposed to be funny, the text was much more accessible to me than when I read As You Like It.
So, things that struck me while seeing/reading the play:
Oberon is a bit of a jerk, isn’t he? I mean, really, he set this whole mess in motion just because he wanted Tatania’s little changeling boy. How selfish.
It’s really a very silly play. All of the Riverside Shakespeare’s (that’s the version I have, complete with hubby’s notes from his college Shakespeare class written in the margins) hifalutin’ notions aside, there really isn’t much to this play other than a lot of silliness.
Shakespeare is amazing: not only can he write good plays, but he can write excellent parodies of bad plays. I think in many ways, the fifth act was my favorite part. Alack, alack, alack!
What happens if Demetrius wakes up one day wondering how on earth he managed to get married to Helena?
It’s quite fitting to see this play in a park setting, especially on a summer evening. There wasn’t any fixed stage; they had roped off an area, and we sat on blankets and lawn chairs surrounding the “stage”. The actors ran around us — for the part in the forest where Hermia’s chasing Lysander’s chasing Helena who’s being chased by Demetrius they ran all through the trees and the audience. It was very fun.
I think this play is probably one of Shakespeare’s more accessible plays. There’s romance, there’s humor, there’s faeries. And it’s really not all that confusing.
I’m glad that this was part of the challenge. Without it, I may have never been pushed to see the Shakespeare in the park, and I had a grand time. They’re doing Measure for Measure in September (when it cools back down!), and we’re definitely going to go.
The Book Nut 
How great that you got to see it! Wonderful timing!I too realized that Shakespeare reads a lot better if you’re at least familiar with the story, and can visualize what is happening.The story is silly, yes, but good silly. I love the humour, and the language, and the fact that he used English folkloric themes and thus kept them alive.
LikeLike
Nymeth — I totally agree. I didn’t mean to sound snobbish when I said it was silly; I laughed and laughed at all the silliness, and marveled at the nerve Shakespeare had to poke fun at all his fellow actors and playwrights. It is a good silly.
LikeLike
I enjoyed this post very much! Lucky you, to see such a fun live performance. Yes, Oberon was a bit of a jerk, the play is very silly, and everyone makes an ass of themselves but finally gets things sorted out. I loved it!
LikeLike
Melissa, I didn’t think you sounded snobbish at all!
LikeLike
Shakespearian comedy is, at its heart, a celebration of the life-force, and, if memory serves, when one is held in thrall by said force, there’s an embarrassing amount of room for silliness.It sounds like you had a good time. Here’s hoping <>Measure for Measure<> is equally good.
LikeLike
You know, Robin, that’s one thing I forgot to mention: I loved the punning on ass. After Bottom gets an ass’s head, it just takes off, and is hilarious. Nymeth — I’m sure there’s some response here, but I don’t know what it is. I thought you were implying that I didn’t like the sillines… my bad? (Ooh, I can’t believe I just wrote that.)John — I like the way you put that: “an embarrassing amount of silliness.” Very much like life. (At least mine holds an embarrassing amount of silliness!) You should try to get out and see this one, if you can. They’re doing it weekends around town until the end of the month. It’s really an enjoyable production.
LikeLike
I saw this performed outdoors in London, and the next year got to perform it (outdoors) in my hometown. I was the main Fairy. (Meaning I had some speeches in the first scene with Puck, and I sang a solo.) I do believe it was the best production I’ve ever taken part of, we had too much fun laughing at ourselves and Shakespeare’s wit.
LikeLike
I love Shakespeare in the park! They have a great program in Rhode Island, where I used to live. I used to go every summer and drag as many people as I could along with me. I like AMND, but I think Measure for Measure is much better. I hope you enjoy it!
LikeLike
Oh, this is one of my favorites of Shakespeare, totally because it is silly and romantic. I love the movie with Calista Flockhart and Michelle Pfieffer. So funny!
LikeLike
What fun! And, I agree. I tend to have trouble understanding Shakespeare unless I’ve seen a play acted out.
LikeLike
Actually, susan, we watched the movie over the weekend, and I was disappointed. While it was silly, I thought it took itself a bit too seriously overall. Sure, them ending up completely naked was a nice touch (rites of May, ha!) but I just thought it was, well, trying too hard. I didn’t like Bottom at all (and I usually like Kevin Kline) — he came off more as a jerk rather than a fool. And putting the silly play-within-a-play in a theater took away the intimacy that worked so well when we saw it live.Still, I’m not sorry I saw it.
LikeLike
It is I who apologizes for expressing myself poorly. I just want you yo know I really enjoyed reading your review!
LikeLike