A Midsummer Night's Dream at The Guild Theatre

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Posted 2018-06-04 by Nicole J ⇒ follow

Fri 18 May 2018 - Sat 09 Jun 2018

I stepped off the train platform at Rockdale and immediately spotted the bright lights of the Guild Theatre across the street. The company at the Guild Theatre have been entertaining audiences since 1952 and has grown over the years both in terms of enlarging the theatre and the number of actor-members.

A Midsummer Night's Dream%%. Top: A scene from the comical play that the mechanicals perform for the Duke's wedding. Thisbe with arms spread over a dead Pyramus. Photo credit: Craig O'Regan " thumb="http://www.weekendnotes.com/im/008/08/shakespeare-midsummernightsdream-midsummer-sydney-62.JPG" link="http://www.weekendnotes.com/im/008/08/shakespeare-midsummernightsdream-midsummer-sydney-61.JPG"]

Right now, they are performing William Shakespeare's spirited comedy: A Midsummer Night's Dream. The Bard's play is done justice with Susan Stapleton's interpretation engaging and enjoyable to watch. The acting was lively, upbeat and professionally delivered. I especially liked the spritely and lithe Puck (played by Rosemary Ghazi) and Russell Godwin's comically pompous Bottom with his booming voice. He reminded me of that venerable actor, Brian Blessed.

The players captivated the audience with their acting and the magic of the play. The comical play performed at the Duke's wedding had the audience in stitches. Haki Pepo Olu Crisden was a commanding Oberon and was balanced beautifully by the graceful Titania (played by Donna Randall). During the scene where Titania was lavishing her affections on Bottom, who commanded her attendants, Pease-Blossom (played by Maxine Solari) and the grumpy Mustardseed (played by Jennifer Tansey) to scratch his head, Mustardseed poked rather than stroked Bottom to roars of laughter in the audience.

Leone Sharp's costumes were rich and colourful and the set fitting for the Duke's court and the surrounding woodlands of Athens. The cast consists of up and coming actors, some of whom are chosen from the membership ranks of the Guild Theatre. For more information on how to join the cast, or attend a workshop designed to help aspiring actors develop their skills, click here .

A Midsummer Night's Dream is the second of four major plays performed at the Guild this year. For information on other two performances showing during the 2018 season, I'll Be Back Before Midnight and Silent Night, Lonely Night click here .

Ticket prices are $25 for adults and $20 for concession and are reasonably priced, especially as the official programme and a cup of tea and biscuits are included. The staff issuing tickets at the box office and serving refreshments during the interval wore decorative fascinators in keeping with the play's lighthearted, fairy theme. They were extremely friendly and their warmth gave a personal touch to the experience.

Matinees commence at 2:00pm and the evening performance starts at 8:00pm. Total performance time including intermission is 2 hours and 40 minutes.

The theatre is intimate and every seat has a decent view. The show runs until Saturday 9 June 2018 and seats are still available if you act fast. To buy tickets to this all-time favourite Shakespeare play click here .

Being a community theatre, the team at the Guild Theatre are close-knit and willing to assist in any way. The playhouse is conveniently located right at Rockdale train station and public transport is the best way to travel to the venue.

Arriving by car is not recommended, however, there is a public car park nearby. For the elderly or people with special needs, pick-up and drop-off are possible and in particular situations, there is one car space that may be reserved, although this cannot be guaranteed and is subject to availability. There are approximately 8 steps up to the theatre entrance. All the staff are friendly and helpful and aim to accommodate requests. For general enquiries click here .

There are clean toilets located at the side of the theatre that are unlocked by staff before, during the interval and after the play.

For those who want to stay back after the show and try some local food, there are several inviting-looking restaurants from the sub-continent close by. You need only schlep an extra 50 meters before the train ride home. Follow your nose and the gentle waft of spices emanating out of the various Bangladeshi, Nepalese and Pakistani restaurants. Many of the restaurants served goat and advertised themselves as Halal.