Sunday, August 16th

The summer series of events at Forest Park is coming to an end, but it's wrapping up nicely with a double-feature of Shakespeare treats.  First up was the romantic comedy  A Midsummer Night's Dream, performed by the Hip to Hip Theater Company.  It was a real nice performance, though a little difficult to hear.  With no amplifiers, the actors' voices needed to compete with Mister Softee and a nearby barbecue -- but the audience moved close and they appeared to enjoy the show. 

Note:  The same troupe will be performing at the bandshell next Sunday, August 23rd, at 5 PM -- Romeo and Juliet.

Here are some highlights from A Midsummer Night's Dream in Forest Park.  In this first picture, Hermia argues with her father (Egeus) -- he wants her to marry Demetrius, she wants to Lysander.  Facing death unless she complies, she runs off with Lysander into the woods.  Meanwhile, Hermia's friend Helena is in love with Demetrius and tell him of their plan to flee -- they takeoff in pursuit and this sets off the rest of the story.

"Either to die the death or to abjure forever the society of men. Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires..."

Then the story moves into the woods where an acting troupe is rehearsing a play.  The lead actor, Nick Bottom, is quite the ham and wants to play all of the parts. 

"Let me play the lion too: I will roar, that I will do any man's heart good to hear me; I will roar, that I will make the duke say 'Let him roar again, let him roar again.' "

All along, Oberon (The King of Faeries) has been watching and taking pity on Hermia, decides that if Demetrius would fall in love with Helena, then Hermia and Lysander would be free to marry.  So he dispatches the mischievous Puck to apply juice from a magic flower to Demetrius' eyelids, so he'll fall in love with Helena.  Instead the juice ends up on Lysander's eyes and he falls in love with Helena (see below).  He's even willing to kill for her! 

"And run through fire I will for thy sweet sake. Transparent Helena! Nature shows art, that through thy bosom makes me see thy heart. Where is Demetrius? O, how fit a word Is that vile name to perish on my sword!"

Later, at the behest of Oberon, Puck changes Nick Bottom's head to that of a donkey.  It's all part of a plan to make a faerie Queens (Titania) fall in love with a beast.  Below, Nick Bottom's fellow actors react in fear to his new appearance.

"O monstrous! O strange! We are haunted. Pray, masters! Fly, masters! Help!"

Meanwhile, Puck has managed to get both Demetrius and Lysander to fall in love with Helena -- and Hermia is pretty ticked off.

"O me! you juggler! You canker-blossom! You thief of love! What, have you come by night and stolen my love's heart from him?"

It all works out, though, and everyone ends up with someone.  Nick Bottom gets his head back and the acting troupe performs at the wedding celebrations.

The audience enjoyed the show, and gave the troupe a nice round of applause at the end.  Shakespeare isn't to everyone's taste, but these guys did a nice job of making this play entertaining.  It really seemed to speed along, clocking in at just over an hour and ten minutes or so.

Due to union regulations, we are only allowed to post a small snippet of the performance.  So here's one minute of Shakespeare in Forest Park: 

Once again, the same troupe will be performing at the bandshell next Sunday, August 23rd, at 5 PM -- Romeo and Juliet.  Hope to see you there!

If you have any comments, or would like to suggest other projects, drop us a line at info@projectwoodhaven.com or projectwoodhaven@aol.com.  

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