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From the Croydon Advertiser - 22nd of July, 2005
Review by Theo Spring
*** - 3 stars
A cleverly conceived set with flats forming realistic trees, an ingenious tree trunk seat stage left and trellis work to hold flowers, created a charming fairy wood for this production, set in the 1920s.
Directed by Rob Anderson, who also played Oberon, and assistant Jill Maynard, the production achieved added interest by doubling fairies with some of the Mechanicals. Thus we see a timorous Snug the Joiner become a courteous Peaseblossom, in the hands of Ellie Driscoll who, on taking on the lion’s part in the play for Theseus and Hippolyta, was almost unrecognisable in a heavy Russian hat and shapeless coat.
Gareth Jones as the anxious Egeus, making strident demands for his daughter, turned into Flute the bellows-mender forced to put on a skirt as the lady in Pyramus and Thisbe.
Costumes were apt and quickly changed or hidden bringing no delays to the pace of the play.
Good direction kept the characters moving and I particularly liked Puck’s exit through the apron trapdoor and the meeting of Helena and Demetrius under the influence of the flower’s magic
The fours lovers were in youthful hands… Nicky Howcroft’s petulance brought Helena to life and Louise Canfield spoke Hermia’s lines with thought and relevance.
The Mechanicals were commanded, army fashion by Keith Harper as Peter Quince, Gabriella Brooks doubled as Mustardseed and a lugubrious Tom Snout; Sabrina Chiemeka made a dashing Robin Starveling/Cobweb. Anne Turner completed the fairies as Moth.
Accolades for interpretation go to the sprightly Puck who’s mischief was constantly visible on the face of Rick Morris, and to Rob Anderson, who gave Oberon’s speeches an easy understanding.
Ron White and Marian Harper were the gracious Duke and Queen in Athens awaiting their nuptials, but the gold star goes to Christine Woodhead whose Nick Bottom was outrageously OTT. Whether as the weaver or the ass, she stamped comic timing and delivery on both roles – a class act.
Small details like Puck and Titania forgetting to remove or cover their glinting wedding rings were counterbalanced by a really great ass’s head for Bottom and some funny business from Puck and Oberon while Helena and Hermia were arguing.
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