A Midsummer Night's Dream - review

It's always interesting to watch a new and innovative presentation of any Shakespearean play. I saw Korea's Yohangza Theatre Company stage a wonderfully playful and refreshing adaptation of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. This is my review, with a poetry review to follow.

Yohangza Extravaganza by Linh

Weird and wonderful things attract the most attention, and Korea's Yohangza Theatre Company has excelled in not only the attention, but also the plaudits for their production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

It's a visually splendid offering of cultural and physical theatre, with thunderous tribal percussion accompanying the comical magic that is woven throughout. The themes of star-crossed lovers, mischievous fairies and revenge remain while the characters' names are Korean and given a delightful twist.

The roles of Titania and Oberon are reversed, with Sun-Hee Park as Dot the Queen who exacts revenge on her philandering partner Gabi. Park is brilliant in her portrayal as the disapproving Queen, adding wit and flair to a scheming yet affable character.

Jun-Ho Kim is a comic King Gabi (Oberon) who loves to love and be loved, so his amorous advances towards Bottom while under the spell of a love potion, provide some of the show's comedy highlights. Kim brings charm and grace to a very proud and stubborn character.

The standout performance belongs to So-Young Park who plays Ajumi the dithering herb collector. Ajumi turns into a ravenous pig and attracts the affections of King Gabi. References of Vegemite and Tim Tams bring laughs and ignites an energetic spark between the pair as they share an amusing scene where Gabi finds a way to Ajumi's heart through her stomach.
Young's wholesome and earthy portrayal of Ajumi (Bottom) is captivating in every scene.

Puck's character has become twins named Duduri and their mesmeric demeanour and amusing antics convey an alternative mischievousness to the original. Jin Lee and Seong-Yong Han play Duduri, and aptly succeed in bemusing and bewildering the audience with dynamic acrobatics and rhythmic dance.

Young-A Kim brings passion and persistence to the love-lorn Ik (Helena) as she chases Loo (Demetrius) played wonderfully by Jeong-Sun Lee. Seoung-Hwan Lee plays Hang (Lysander)with bravado and some tenderness as he and Byeok (Hermia)attempt to elope. Ji-Young Kim is fiery and feisty as Byeok and her fight scene with Ik is a comic spectacle.

The number two may be a running theme as there are twins representing opposites, two pairs of human lovers, the pairing of King and pauper and the duality of a human and fairy world.

Although the production is in Korean with English surtitles, the talented performers' facial expressions and skilful physicality are sufficient for audiences to follow the action.

Praise must be directed to the Choreographer Jung Sun Kim, Music director Eun Jung Kim and especially Director Jung Ung Yang. A superb team effort from cast and crew who have produced a magically enchanting production of which Shakepeare would be proud.