Review by Alison Shephard
Everyman’s Youth Theatre productions just keep on getting better and better. Their latest production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream was performed in various venues in South Wales , including Bridgend College , Llanover Hall and Clwb Ifor Bach, where I saw it in February. The innovative use of venue was the first great thing about the event. In a production with a 70’s disco conception, complete with fantastically cheesy music and costume, the nightclub setting couldn’t have been more appropriate.
As always, director Sarah Bawler managed a production that played to the strengths of the young cast, was genuinely ‘laugh out loud funny’ (yes, I know I always laugh out very loud) and also delivered a creative, imaginative and easy to follow telling of Shakespeare’s story.
The text was cut down to the bare bones of the narrative, with character motivation continually driven forward by the use of the songs (and natty dance routines). There were several outstanding performances, but it really was an ensemble piece, so it’s genuinely difficult to name one or two without wanting to name about 10 more of equal quality. For me, there is a real pleasure in seeing the development of in quality, confidence and stagecraft of some of the longer-standing members over a period of years.
Everyman is extremely lucky to have the dedication of Sarah Bawler . As usual the youth group director also choreographed, designed the production and made the vast majority of the gorgeous costumes. She has given years and years of Sunday evenings to the youth group, nurturing the talent and enthusiasm of the young people that we then call on whenever the ‘grown up’ section needs young actors. I think we tend to take for granted the seemingly endless supply of talented young people we’ve been able to tap into to the benefit of successive productions, including the festival. But we should also give greater value and acknowledgement to the youth group’s own productions. If you haven’t seen one in a while (and a surprisingly large number of members haven’t) then get a ticket for their next available show. The quality of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was up there with the best of any of Everyman’s productions and augers very well for this summer’s festival production of Robin Hood from the same director.
