Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Woodland Opera House

From the court of Theseus to the nearby forest, where fairies like to flit about and play tricks on humans (and each other), Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is delighting audiences at the Woodland Opera House.

Rodger McDonald has directed a lush production with a wonderful cast, a beautiful set and lovely costumes. He also gives a commanding presence as Oberon, king of the fairies.

Jordan Hayakawa is the impish Puck, with a special sparkle and impeccable comic timing.

The plot, as you know, is as complicated as any Gilbert & Sullivan operetta. Theseus is planning to marry Hyppolyta, queen of the Amazons. Lysander loves Hermia, and Hermia loves Lysander. Helena loves Demetrius, who used to love Helena but now loves Hermia. Egeus, Hermia’s father, prefers Demetrius for his daughter. She won’t have him, and her father threatens her with death or the nunnery if she disobeys him and enlists the aid of Theseus to enforce his wishes on his stubborn daughter.

Lysander and Hermia run off to Athens where they can be married, but stop in the forest to rest. There the fairies, led by Titania, cast spells on them and those who come looking for them.

In the meantime, a group of workmen are rehearsing a play for Theseus’ wedding. They agree to meet in the forest to rehearse and also become victims of the mischievous Puck. All’s well that ends well, as the spells are reversed, the lovers sorted out, plans for the wedding continue and Puck apologizes to the audience if any were offended.