Despite a discordant mishmash of costumes, DalTheatre’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is pretty near note-perfect. The set is ingenious. A stately manor house becomes a multi-level wilderness hung with vines that are whisked open and closed as easily as drapes. The choreography is exciting and flat- out fun. The physical battles between the play’s four star-crossed lovers are hysterical, particularly Helena’s (Diana McCallum) super-heroine moves. The dialogue is delivered with sparkling ease and it is clear that this young cast has a firm grasp of the emotions behind Shakespeare’s slippery structures and poetic compressions. There are several standouts in an all around impressive cast, most particularly Kelly Collins as the mischievous Puck and Craig Gillis as Bottom the buffoon. The result is a great play at a great price.
Occurring Daily Through Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Sir James Dunn Theatre, 6101 University 494-3820 $6/$12
