The Adam Small Theatre raised their velvet red curtains Friday, 23 August for the opening night performance of their weeklong run of the Shakespearian classic – A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The play, directed by Stellenbosch University Drama department chair, Mareli Hattingh Pretorius, brilliantly intertwines the realms of fantasy and comedy to present the 400-year-old tale with quite a few modern-day quirks.
Pretorius says the biggest success for her thus far was when “We had an eight-year old Afrikaans girl in the audience on Friday and she was laughing like crazy and following the story”.
The play abides by the language laws and naturalistic staging common to Shakespeare. In many ways, the production has, what Pretorius refers to as “a very traditional slant,” rather than a contemporary adaption. The primary indication of Pretorius’ attempt at modernization can be seen through the diverse, predominantly modern musical score with a range including the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Lady Gaga and Fergie.
The cast comprises of 29 members of the Stellenbosch University Drama Department. The production boasts in its true-to-time Elizabethan attire and an elaborate 20 crew manned set design, complete with a revolving stage that transports audiences through the worlds presented to them.
The fairy kingdom, Justine Rubesch as Titania stands centre stage. IMAGE: Zoe Human
For 2018 drama graduate and current PGCE student, Imogen Clinton, the highlight of the show “has to be the entire second act” while for other audience members highlights include Puck played by Emile Neumann, the Wall played by Anmari Oosthuizen and the hee hawing ass – Nick Bottom played by Alistair Seymour.
Caroline Smith, a student teacher studying at Stellenbosch University, brought her Curro Sitari grade 8 class who are currently studying the play. For them she says “It’s a creative way to experience Shakespeare, make them less scared of Shakespeare and more interested in Shakespeare.” On a personal level, Smith said “she absolutely loved it,” naming Nick Bottom as one of her highlights.