Each iteration of A Midsummer Night’s Dream presents a different version of the confounding and enchanted woods in which the characters lose themselves. Audience members walk in, wondering how this fairyland will differ from the last.
Babes with Blades’ production, directed by Lauren Katz, does not strain itself to provide a new take on the much beloved play. It easily revels in various subversions, whether that be through its doubling, staging or how the cast interprets an age-old text. The end result feels free and joyful, packed with humorous, unscripted moments.
One choice that stands out is the unusual doubling of Oberon/Hippolyta and Titania/Theseus (Hayley Rice and Jalyn Greene), and the addition of a scene that depicts Theseus defeating Hippolyta’s Amazons in battle, after which he takes her as his wife. This starts the play in an uneasy place—when both pairs of rulers are at odds, the rest of the world is in disarray. They are, as Titania puts it, the other characters’ “parents and original.”
Meanwhile, Helena—a spiky performance by Patty Roache—tags after Demetrius (Kim Fukawa) as Hermia and Lysander (Cat Evans, Izis Mollinedo) elope into the woods, led on by Hazel Monson’s mischievous and agile Puck. I particularly appreciated how Puck’s magic was done with crisp sound and lighting effects, which maintained the magic of the story without slowing the pace.
The cast is rounded out by the uniformly charming crew of mechanicals and fairies, led by a consistently hilarious Sarah Scanlon as Bottom. Katz makes use of fourth wall breaks and clever transitions with the ensemble to further engage the audience. I was surprised to see some of the text between Puck and the fairies cut but otherwise the production balanced the play’s original spirit with a modern sensibility.
As expected with Blades with Blades, there is lively stage combat throughout, directed by ensemble member Jillain Leff, and plenty of viciousness between the lovers. All is fair in love and war with these characters and only when Theseus and Hippolyta’s relationship is resolved through love as well as combat, does the play reach its conclusion. Perhaps, the play suggests, a loving truce can only be achieved when you choose to forget the conflict that made it possible.
As we slide into the colder months, audience members would make it well worth their while to revisit summer and enjoy Babes with Blades’ playful take on Shakespeare’s classic.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream continues through November 23 at the Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway. Tickets are $28-35. Running time is approximately 2 hours with a 10-minute intermission. Get your tickets here or by phone at 773- 217- 8406.
For more information on this and other productions, see theatreinchicago.com.
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