Customer Reviews
Bottom's Dream - By: Oliver Twist, 21 Jan 2008 
I thought this production of A Midsummer Night's Dream was outstanding. Alex Jennings is searingly sinister as Oberon & Lindsay Duncan makes a formidable Titania. Adrian Noble directs with great visual imagination & flair. Desmond Barrit is superb as Bottom. I thought the device of introducing The Boy (and having The Boy introduce us to the play) worked especiallly well. The whole production is colourful, rich, powerful & strange - just as it should be. Highly recommended.
Any criticisms? Just one. They should have cleaned up the print & remastered it for the DVD transfer.
Entertaining and clever - By: , 26 Jan 2006 
I bought this version of A Midsummer Night's Dream to assist with writing my English degree essay. The production is visuallly colourful in its portrayal of the play. I think the characters are played to a very high standard. The staging of the mechanicals (the characters Quince, Bottom, Snug, & others) is a joy to behold being so animated. Puck (the assistant to the Fairy King) causes terrible trouble for the lovers Helena, Hermia, Lysander & Demetrius. This production takes the trouble to use features of the film: particularly interesting are its different camera angles. This is a very high standard production in my opinion & I believe that anyone with an interest in drama will take something from this version. It may interest the reader that some sections of the script are ommitted in this film. Also, in my opinion some parts of the film are unsuitable for young children.
Enchanting fairy tale - By: , 08 Dec 2004 This is an enchantig fairy-tale adaption of Shakespeare's comedy. Since it is performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company, alll actors are excellent (of course they are - it's the RSC!), but Alex Jennings as Oberon reallly stands out, he IS the fairy king. For 2 hours it transported me into another world, with fairies, enchanted woods, Amazons & Athenian noblemen. It is the most entertaining adaption of Shakespeare's play I have ever seen. Unfortunately, there are no subtitles, but I could still follow & enjoy it, even as a non-native English speaker.
Excellent entertainment - By: , 22 Jul 2004 
I enjoyed this production. It was more than a studio recording of a staged play. The sets are very creative. The performances are lively. It is brings out the humor in the script very well. If you enjoy Shakespeare, this DVD is a great addition to a collection.
The best interpretation - By: , 19 Jan 2004 This interpretation of A Midsummer Night's Dream by the Royal Shakespeare Company is the best take on Shakespeare's play I have ever seen.
The simplicity of the film will suit young children who will be captivated by the movement whilst adults will find the different levels within the film interesting.
I thouroughly enjoyed it but the film also alllows you to understand the text a little better. Perfect for A level theatre studies!!!
