A Midsummer Night's Dream
Propeller Shakespeare
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- $21.99
Publisher Description
One of Shakespeare's most original and eloquent plays, A Midsummer Night's Dream brilliantly interweaves four contrasting groups of characters to present a many-sided view of love in all its aspects: its joys and sadness, its idealism and selfishness, its physical and spiritual elements. This performing edition was prepared for Propeller's all-male company of twelve actors, at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, and toured the West End in 2003. Propeller's markedly contemporary approach to Shakespeare brought great success for Rose Rage, their version of the Henry VI plays, whichwon the TMA/Barclays Theatre Award for the best touring production of 2001.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Coville follows up his version of The Tempest (see p. 84) with a retelling of another of Shakespeare's most popular plays. The fundamental story of magic, mischief and the trials and tribulations of love is preserved through well-chosen use of the original language and Coville's heady prose ("The queen... saw the ass-headed monstrosity through magic-drenched eyes"). Major plot lines are clearly and concisely rendered, but it is the portrayal of the various levels of humor-from Bottom's buffoonery to Puck's gleeful magic-making-that really captures the essence of the play. Nolan's (Dinosaur Dream) sumptuous, painterly watercolors highlight the theatrical setting of the spellbound wood. Gnarled, mossy trees provide the backdrop for a cast of unusually youthful lovers, gossamer-winged fairies (which nod at Rackham's famous interpretations) and a truly puckish Puck. A first-rate entree to the Bard. Ages 7-up.
