A dash of fairy dust for families
Forsooth, the Elizabethan English in “A Family Midsummer Night’s Dream†at the Geffen Playhouse may give kids pause. The humor and fantasy in this scaled-down version of Shakespeare’s tale of lovers, fairies and fools, however, are an easy sell.
The professional production is recommended for ages 5 and older and for adults who’d like a quick introduction to the Bard -- but a what’s-happening-now? buzz and intent gazes and giggles at Saturday’s opening performance attested to the cross-generational appeal of this four-century-old comedy.
The Parson’s Nose Production, directed by Ivar Brogger and adapted by Lance Davis for public and school performances, throws out chunks of the play, but the excerpted language is as Shakespeare wrote it.
The emphasis is on broad visual humor: flashing red antennas and Darth Vader-ish intonations for Oberon (Michael Manuel, who also plays Bottom), galumphing fairies who flutter and whistle and hard-hatted construction workers replacing the buffoonish rustics caught up in the forest mischief.
Seven actors play multiple parts. Davis is a standout Puck, furthering the action with deft comic timing and whimsical stylized movement. The small-voiced, single-monikered Naomi fares best as Fairy Queen Titania.
Manuel and Naomi relinquish their roles as Theseus and Hippolyta to young volunteers in the very funny finale -- the construction workers’ romantic “tragedy,†“Pyramus and Thisbe.â€
*
‘A Family Midsummer Night’s Dream’
Where: Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood
When: Saturdays, 11 a.m.; ends March 8; running time: 1 hour
Cost: adults, $5; children, $1
Info: (310) 208-6500, Ext. 198
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