Avanti Grange Secondary School’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream wows audiences
Avanti Grange Secondary School demonstrated the exceptional talent and creativity of its students with a stunning performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
This ambitious production succeeded in making one of Shakespeare’s most charismatic and convoluted plots accessible and engaging for audience members of all ages.
The entire evening was a theatrical delight. Actors engaged directly with the audience, and cast and crew collaborated to craft an immersive experience that captivated everyone present.
The Athenians exuded grace and power, the Mechanicals brought finesse and humour, and the Fairies swanned and fawned whimsically.
It was everything one could want from theatre on a summer’s evening, including emotive dance performances, breakout rapping, eclectic soundtrack choices and, of course, maniacal laughter courtesy of Busby.
Standout performances included Charles Hughes Flexon as Theseus. He set the tone for the evening with a commanding opening that had him screaming “Bow down to me” at an unsuspecting audience, perfectly capturing the chaos that followed.
Thandiwe Musundire as Bottom delighted the audience with humour and delivered the most memorable stage fart, thanks to the hard work of the sound team.
Eshaal Ahmed’s desperate grip on his monocle, playing Quince, and Arthur Minton-Lee’s crazed wig and make-up, which accentuated his passionate jealousy and rage towards Bottom, contributed to unforgettable moments of comedy in his role as Francis Flute.
The production was a testament to the collaborative spirit and creativity of Avanti Grange’s students. Every element came together to create a performance that was fun for all the family.
It set a high standard for future Avanti Grange performances, showcasing the exceptional talent of our young people both on and off the stage as the conscious change-makers of tomorrow.
The production received overwhelmingly positive feedback from those in attendance. One reviewer humorously noted: “I would have awarded five stars to this production, but alas, I fear I will never again be able to hear Barry White’s Can’t Get Enough of You, Babe without picturing a donkey in an armchair. 4.5/5.”
Richard Dunford