A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Phoenixville Area High School in Phoenixville, PA
December 12, 2023
Review submitted by Fionnuala McCann of Harriton High School
It is all too accurate that “the course of true love never did run smooth,” but for four unhappy lovers during one long night in the woods, love’s course seems particularly rough.
A tale of love, mischief, and magic being used in less-than-responsible ways, A Midsummer Night’s Dream was written in the late 1500s and has since been performed, adapted, and retold in a thousand different ways. Now, Shakespeare’s comedy has come to Phoenixville Area High School’s stage, and they in no way failed to do the story justice.
This play demands a magical atmosphere, which it very much delivered with its cast of otherworldly (and frequently mischievous) fairies. Leena Collins did an excellent job as the commanding fairy queen Titania, never losing her powerful stage presence or air of mystique even when placed in increasingly outlandish situations. Collins was joined by Alex Upton as Oberon, whose performance as the scheming fairy king was similarly strong. Oberon’s troublemaking companion Puck (Ellie Yeagle) was a highlight of the show; from long monologues to silent acting in the background, Yeagle was hilarious every moment that she was on stage.
Less ethereal but no less entertaining were the Mechanicals, a rather rough-hewn troupe of actors lead by Peter Quince (Alexander Clipper). Each member of the troupe gave an excellent comic performance, particularly Nadia Formica in her absolutely delightful performance as Snug. Mint Both also amazed in many scenes with his exuberant portrayal of the ridiculous Nick Bottom.
The four lovers were each incredibly talented, and as a group crafted many remarkably entertaining scenes. Sweet, star-crossed lovers Hermia (Anna Sivco) and Lysander (Joey Curry) were heartwarming as the adoring couple, and later Sivco was given the chance to show off their versatility as an actor, giving an excellent show of bitterness and heartbreak. The less happy couple of Helena (Kate Renny Smith) and Demetrius (Silas Swomley) were no less delightful to watch. Helena’s seemingly hopeless pursuit of a man who despises her was equal parts tragic and hilarious, with Renny Smith’s particular strength found in their ability to deliver long monologues that remained extremely engaging.
On a technical level, Midsummer was very strong. A large number of microphones were managed with minimal issues and the lighting was used very well, while set changes happened very smoothly and without disrupting the performance.
From mischievous fairies and love spells to talented performances and skillfully managed technical aspects, Phoenixville Area High School’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream was magical in every way.
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Review submitted by Jack McCullough of Harriton High School
Sleeping in the woods, being harassed by fairies, and having the love of your life insult your height certainly doesn’t sound like a very good time, but at Phoenixville Area High School’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the former is simply a description of a great night at the theatre!
Written by the incomparable William Shakespeare in the mid 90’s (1590’s that is!), A Midsummer Night’s Dream chiefly tells the story of four lovers, Demetrius, Lysander, Helena, and Hermia, who find themselves caught in an ultra-complicated love quartet. For various reasons, the four eventually become lost in the woods of Athens, which house fairies, tricksters, and *gasp* mediocre actors?! Will the four ever find their way back home, or even their way back to each other? Only time will tell in this madcap, wonderfully aged comedy.
In regards to the aforementioned actors of dubious quality, The Mechanicals were a wonderful ensemble, bouncing cleanly off of each other in their group scenes, while also carrying hysterical moments individually. As director Peter Quince, Alexander Clipper bound the troupe together, remaining understated in his performance, a choice which only accentuated the wonderfully ridiculous qualities of the ensemble’s other members.
As the center point of Midsummer’s colorful cast, the four lovers were impressively captivating, their fiery bantering remaining clear and riveting even through thick layers of Shakespearean prose. A clear standout of the group was Kate Renny Smith as the witty, if a bit emotionally unstable, Helena, who demonstrated a shocking level of understanding when delivering her dialogue. For her lengthier tirades, Smith would maintain engagement by constantly making new, exciting changes to both her tone and physicality, cementing her monologues as some of the most entertaining of the night.
The supporting cast was equally enthralling. Ellie Yeagle as the mischievous fairy Puck was an audience favorite, tricking her fellow cast members with a giddy, childlike glee, and delivering her rhyming verse with an endearing, sing-songy cadence. Equally beloved by the crowd was Mint Both’s Nick Bottom, lead actor of the bumbling Mechanicals, who stole scenes and hearts alike whenever he stepped into the limelight (diegetic or not!).
While comparatively brief, an artistic highlight of the production was Elise Pham’s expert Violin performance accompanying the lullaby sung for the Fairy Queen Titania. Her professionalism and poise allowed her to blend seamlessly into the background, while still showcasing her top-notch ability and musical talent.
“If we shadows have offended, think but this, and all is mended”. Puck might have needed to make amends when all was said and done, but when it came to Phoenixville Area High School’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, it was we who should be thanking them. This show was a treat!
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