A Midsummer Night's Dream: Shakespeare's Globe [DVD] [2014]

This was one of the most hilarious productions I have seen. The two pairs of lovers were amazingly choreagraphed with all their complications. All the actors were top rate, especially John Light and Matthew Tennyson as Oberon and Ariel. But for me the star of the show was Pearce Quigley as Bottom. Arrogant, rude snotty even, but thoroughly thoroughly funny. And when with the Ass's Head even better. Extraordinary performance

DVD issued yesterday, I watched it last night, spellbound. By far and away the best Shakespeare I have ever seen. Cannot single out any actor, all excel. Directed by Dominic Dromgoole, from whom I have leaned to expect great things; this Dream exceeds expectation. It's incredibly funny, most notably in every appearance of the clog dancing Mechanicals, but I found new meaning in the young lovers, even in Theseus and Hyppolita. How I wish I were able to get to the Globe to see their productions live. Failing that their DVDs bring me great joy, none more so than this.

My daughter is very happy with this screenplay.

This production nailed it. Although the first scene is flat, lacking in affect, the play takes off as soon as the fairies and mechanicals arrive on scene. The gymnastic by-play between Oberon and Puck is spot-on. Two highlights: Oberon having a Tarzan moment on a rope above the action and Puck's runner's warmup before he sets off around the world to find the little flower. Overall, this was a masterful Puck--all gobsmacked vacancy and puppyish lolloping. The doubling of Hippolyta/Titania and Theseus/Oberon worked particularly well here, with extra attention to Hippolyta's character. They went some way towards rescuing Hippolyta for modern womanhood. Tap dancing, sleight-of-hand and clever use of the Globe's stage space--all part of a wonderful viewing experience.

not the best version I have seen, became tedious.

This production may not be everyone's cup of tea but I love the Globe on Screen editions in front of a live audience, in view on screen, which creates, for me at least, something of the atmosphere of live theatre. I also like the fact that the players wear what I take to be costumes contemporary to Shakespeare's time. I don't actively dislike Shakespeare in modern dress, I can watch it, but I much prefer the Globe's approach. There is also a distinct bawdiness to this production (and other Globe on Screen productions I have viewed) which I enjoy and which I presume is intended to reflect the drama and theatre of Shakespeare's day. The consequence I think is that the production does not strive to show how Shakespeare is relevant to today's "issues" but lets the viewer enjoy the play as it might originally have been performed. On a purely practical level, the only problem I had was that I had to view it in 4:3 aspect rather than the recommended 16:9 anamorphic in order to see all of the English subtitles which I for one find very helpful when watching Shakespeare: 16:9 cut off the bottom line of the subtitles. However, this did not spoil my enjoyment at all and I expect the problem may well be with my TV's aspect ratios rather than the DVD. As can be seen it did not make me deduct any stars from the rating. But it may be worth noting.

Literally the only Shakespeare play I have ever actually enjoyed. John Light is amazing as Oberon, powerful while still believable in his joy over his plans working and the chemistry between Oberon and Puck (the amazing Matthew Tennyson) is perfect. The casting for all of the women is amazing, especially Hippolyta/Titania and Hermia, they show just the right amount of wonder and disdain at events to be perfectly believable. And let's not forget Lysander and Demitrius who were both wonderful in equal measure. A special mention to Helena who's actress actually made me enjoy her performance for once and to all of the fae who were frightening and ethereal at the same time. Absolutely wonderful!

This is by far the best production currently available of the play on film, very ingeniously performed in the reconstructed Globe theatre. Given that it is 172 minutes long, the text would seem not to have been cut. I was irritated by the actor playing Theseus adopting a sort of west country accent when he appeared as Oberon. And why, oh why, the repeated and silly additions to Bottom's lines when he is addressing Peter Quince? They are not funny and not called for. The business of Titania playing with Bottom's donkey ears was very funny and very naughty.

Never be Baird by it

One of the funniest versions I have seen - the thespian mechanicals are priceless.

Eine sehr klassische Inszenierung von Sommernachtstraum. Ich bin auch ein Fan modernere Interpretationen. Aber diese hier ist eben recht klassisch. Schön für den Erstkontakt mit Shakespeares Meisterwerk z.B. für Kinder und Jugendliche. Aber eben auch für Liebhaber durchaus ein Genuss. Die Leistung der Darstellerinnen und Darsteller ist überragend und die Atmosphäre überträgt sich gut - fast als wäre man im Globe.

En bref, cette production valorise le comique et la profondeur du texte, la performance physique des acteurs dans une mise en scène originale, voire Elizabétho-Jacobéenne, tout en incluant des clins d'oeil résolument actuels. Les personnages sont très hauts en couleur et en saveur. C'est un régal pour spectateurs shakespeariens néophytes ou experts.

実際にロンドンのグローブ座で別の演目の観劇をして、このDVDを購入しました。映画の｢真夏の夜の夢｣とは、一味違っていて、妖精たちの呪術的な演出が最高にしびれます。また、シェイクスピアの作品の意図がより明確なものとなっています。実際にグローブ座で観劇しているようで、映画よりもこっちが断然オススメ！