5 STARS, June 16 - June 30. Alexia Lavender enjoys an enchanting treasure-hunt adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Omnibus Theatre, based in and around Clapham Common.
Omnibus Theatre
On paper, I wasn’t sure how Creation Theatre’s open-air, clue-solving production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream would translate into reality. Having never watched an open-air show, let alone one where the audience members become part of the story itself, I was apprehensive to say the least. All audience members knew was a ‘starting location’ for their group - ours was outside a coffee shop opposite the Omnibus Theatre - and that we had been invited to Thesius’ and Hippolyta’s wedding. From the moment we were delivered a briefcase with an ominous set of instructions inside by the character of Egeus, we were thrown into a magical-mystery tour through the bustling streets in and around Clapham Common.
Creation Theatre is a theatre company based in Oxford, which creates shows that are ‘eccentric, unexpected and fun’ and are certainly like no other show I have experienced before. The company’s philosophy is to use ‘unusual spaces’ such as coffee shops, pubs, alleyways and basements to bring stories old and new to life. Through interaction with the characters in these locations, the audience plays a part in the storyline itself.
What I found perhaps most enthralling was that when we were making our way to each location on that busy Friday night in Clapham, it was not obvious who was an actor in the play, and who was merely a member of the public out for a drink on a warm June evening. When two young lovers engaged in heated argument in front of us on the pavement, it took me a moment to realise that they were, in fact, part of the production.
Omnibus Theatre
Timing is key in this production, with the right characters needing to be in the right locations at the right time. The coordination of actors, locations and audience groups was almost seamless, adding to the dream-like aura of the play.
Following the trials and tribulations of the star-crossed lovers through a mixture of clues, live acting and pre-recorded video on monitors in various locations was an urban, mythical adventure in itself. The actors spoke in a blend of original Shakespearean and modern-day English, which at times was helpful in following the storyline, and combined with the integration of technology such as Skype in some locations, brought the timeless Shakespearean classic to a new age and new audience.
The enchanting whirlwind of the play came to an end in the Omnibus Theatre, and when reflecting on the unique audience experience, Bottom’s remarks about his dream came to mind;
“I have had a most rare vision. I have had a dream past the wit of man to say what dream it was.”
Creation Theatre’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is at the Omnibus Theatre, Clapham until June 30th. To book tickets please visit http://omnibus-clapham.org/event/a-midsummer-nights-dream-4/2017-06-30/
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