In its most recent incarnation as the debut production of Theatre Delicatessen, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is given a very modern make-over.Performed in a disused space at the back of a Regent Street office block,this is an avant-garde take on Shakespeare's mysterious tale. It'snot a romantic atmosphere: the opening scenes are performed in the dank,dirty space of the cafeteria while the audience are still standing in it, drinking tea. Once ushered into a neighbouring space, the audience sits in the round, and the play proceeds in a more conventional setting. The clan of fairies - whispering, making noises, and moving like shadows in the dark - create a sinister mood around the lover's confusion and torment. Dan Crow's Puck is delightfully mischievous, whilst Robert Curtis's Oberon speaks in foreboding tones, as they work together to cause havoc among the mortals. As is often the casewith this play, there is a directorial temptation to make thesupernatural world fly at the expense of the earthbound realm.
       DirectorFrances Loy has made a valiant attempt to re-dress this balance in herediting of the script. It almost comes off. The cast is small - twelve players - so the actors playing fairies double as themechanicals, in which form, they are less enchanting. It isnot so much that they are dressed in neon yellow builders gear, but ratherthat their clowning is taken a step too far.
      Nevertheless, Owen Morse givesa strong, funny portrayal of Bottom, and his outfit is equally entertaining. Loy directs a cast full of enthusiasm and energy, making a promising start for a new company offering a fun couple of hours in central London.
Florence Mackenzie