Showing @ King’s Theatre, Edinburgh until Fri 01 Feb (run now finished)

Benjamin Britten was renowned for breathing new life into music tradition. His cosmopolitanism set him apart from his contemporaries and cemented his position as one of England’s greatest composers of the 20th century. His opera of A Midsummer Night’s Dream premiered in 1960 and 53 years later has been hauled into the 21st century by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Scottish Opera under the direction of Olivia Fuchs. Britten’s modern thinking is reflected in this production that steers away from the traditional Midsummer setting and heads towards a timeless atmospheric look.

A minimalist, neon blue set fills the stage. Abstract projection floods the backdrop, enhancing the fantastical element of the story and contemporary costumes put us firmly in the here and now. The real spectacle of the performance is Puck (Jami Reid-Quarrell), whose aerial artistry and acrobatics twist and turn through the plot again creating that sense of magic and supernatural spirit. Opera is not always the most accessible medium of art, however, the ensemble annunciate each word and Britten’s score does well to emphasise significant moments of plot and comedy. It’s an easy introduction to both opera and Shakespeare, broken down into three acts with Britten’s evocative composition as the backbone.

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