Rocking with Shakespeare (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Rocking with Shakespeare

3:22pm Thursday 28th January 2010 in

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Shall I compare thee to a stadium gig? The answer is definitely yes according to Moon Fool theatre company. Puck is the roadie and Titania and Oberon are the rock stars, in this exciting adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which comes to Trestle Arts Base next month. The show, which features rap, dance, circus and theatre, also contains original live music influenced by the likes of Brian Eno, Tom Waits, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey and Bjork, which should certainly appeal to festival-goers.

Anna-Helena McLean, founder and artisitic director of Moon Fool explains the concept for the show.

“We’re tapping into people’s experience of Shakespeare as it would have been in Elizabethan times. Like ancient Greek theatre it encompassed ritual, carnival and politics and that hasn’t been recreated since. The closest thing we have to that is the rock concert.”

The show, also titled Moon Fool, is told from the perspective of the fairy folk. As well as using Shakespeare’s original text, the production combines original live music and features only three actor/musicians: Anna-Helena, a trained cellist, formerly of Polish physical theatre company Gardzienice, Peter Swaffer-Reynolds, musical director of NoFit State Circus and Christopher Sivertsen, formerly of Polish theatre company Song of the Goat (Teatr Piesn Kozla), who recently directed Antigone for RADA.

We’re exploring midsummer madness when people are angry, wild and in love

Anna-Helena McLean

Anna-Helena says clowning has always been in her nature.

“It’s part of my journey. I was brought up in the circus. I lived in a van until I was nine and wore stripy pants all the time.”

Drawn from Europe and Scandinavia, the cast also know the symoblic importance of midsummer. From pagan rites to mark the summer solstice through to modern day raves, partying is key to human nature.

“Parties are really important,” says Anna-Helena. “We want the show to be as accessible as possible to younger audiences with all the funky wildness of a rave concert. “We crave celebration in this country. In Poland, the theatre director would direct the party until around 3am and in Scandinavia midsummer is a huge celebration. We’re also exploring midsummer madness when people are angry and wild and what happens on midsummer night when you’re under the influence and in love. Being a fool for love.”

The Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead Friday, March 26 at 8pm. Details: 01442 228091