Theatre / “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, by William Shakespeare. Lakespeare and Co. At Tuggeranong Park, February 14. Reviewed by ARNE SJOSTEDT. 

SET in the tranquil grounds of Tuggeranong Town Park, Lakespeare is an intoxicating and generous community event. Bringing the Bard to the grass, the mystical “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” suits the outdoor experience.

The players drew out the comedy well, and gave the crowd of attentive onlookers a spectacle of joyous Shakespearean loved-up chaos. 

The evening felt imbued with positive energy, and the company danced their craft with an infectious passion for the tale they were presenting. 

Dialogue flowed like water over a causeway and exciting costume changes had a sexy steampunk flavour that ensured there was something new to keep the eyes and mind engaged, beyond the song of Shakespeare’s wordplay.

The talent among the cast was neatly balanced. And while capturing each plot, development needed more attention to clarity of delivery, no one out shone another. Instead they worked in harmony, diving into each scene as if it was a warm pool, swimming with each other like energetic sprites.

Director Tim Sekuless confidently choreographed his players and gave a fluid, visual feast for the audience’s eyes. Exciting, fun, full of magic and the charm that makes this play such an enduring feature of the Bard’s cannon, this was a sumptuous night of theatre in the open air.