RESIDENT ACTING COMPANY A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Shortly after the actors barge into the scene they explain this isn’t the usual Bard story presentation. Instead, this is the story told from the perspective of the mechanicals— the amateur actors who take a break from their cobbling, carpentry and similar crafts to try to memorize the script for the play within the play per Shakespeare’s pen(Act III). As the small cast then shows us their day trades— fixing stools, hammering etc. we realize that’s what much of the jumble of stuff on the stage is all about. But wait— the plastic spray bottle too?

Resident Acting Company Uses Acting Talent In Lieu of Big Budget Stagecraft

In this reviewer’s opinion, there’s barely a millisecond to ponder this, as the Mechanicals unleash their fast-moving romp.

Magnetic Anique Clemens pulls us in with her wide eyes and physical acting chops that make sure we really get Helena’s mindset when she comically clings to Demetrius’ leg. RJ Foster at first dons large black rimmed glasses to effect an angry shy nerd that makes his later transformations into rake Demetrious and/or imperious Oberon all the more impressive. With nothing more than a swap of floral headband with a diaphanous scarf, Rachel Botchan similarly fast flips from the innocent love-struck Hermia to Oberon’s queen Titiania. Andy Paterson is in no danger of being typecast as Lysander, Hermia’s would-be young lover, or the young beard sprouting Francis Flute who’d rather stick to roles in the manosphere. Yet, he seamlessly and believably pulls both parts off quite ably. Sprite personified— wearing mottled purple exercise pants and a pussy hat familiar to feminist marchers—diminutive Carine Montbertrand’s otherworldly giggle makes us realize how so many Pucks we’ve seen before her relied on stagecraft budget more than talent. You’ll likely find that her performance alone is worth the price of admission. Then there is Austin Pendleton— a theater/film legend of Broadway fame, Steppenwolf, and beyond— cast as Nick Bottom, Queen Titiana’s love interest ass. He is the cast member —clearly beloved by his fellow actors— who needs script cues the most— with each return to reading the script presumably showing how the Mechanicals aren’t ready for primetime. Some though, like this writer, might instead start worrying that he truly is as ill as his slight frame and physical frailty suggest.