REVIEW: DEMETRIUS WAKES by Jack Robertson at the Old Lion Theatre 2nd-13th August

‘A clever and fun interpretation’ ★★★

On the night of their 15^-year wedding anniversary, Shakespeare’s famous four lovers gather again in celebration of their anniversaries. However, when Demetrius ‘awakens’ and realises his true feelings, all hell breaks loose amongst the lovers.

With poetic lines, frequent references to Shakespeare’s own phrases, puns and witty comments, Robertson’s play is a clever and fun modern-day interpretation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Themes of marriage and relationships as well as the psychological conflict resulting from internal and external influences are innovatively explored. Robertson encapsulates perfectly a chaotic encounter between four passionate people and the show did well in portraying the dynamics of their relationships as well as the individual characters’ feelings of confusion and doubt.

The contrast of characters and their personalities created comedy and drama well as their personalities clashing and provoking one another. With credit to Jacob Lovick, Megan Jarvie, Georgia Andrews and Jack J. Fairley, Zander - (Lysander), Mia (Hermia) Hel (Helena) and Demetrius – the cast worked well together to create a lively, energetic and intense performance. The contrasting dynamics between couples and characters was entertaining, and it was interesting to witness a modern-day portrayal of the lovers with their characteristics and traits from the original Midsummer Night’s Dream, heightened even more so.

I wondered if an older cast would have helped further emphasise the length of the relationships; the actors looked almost too young for an audience to believe they were exhausted in their 15 years of marriages and perhaps an older cast would have elevated the dramatic outbursts in an even more authentic way.

Puck, (played by Sam Harlaut) who is famously renowned for his meddling and mischievous antics, also had the potential to be far more involved in the story. With his wonderful poetic Shakespearian lines, his comments to the audience throughout the drama remained less effective or rousing as he didn’t really cause as much ‘havoc’ as he had the potential to do.

Despite the creative take on the story of the famous four lovers, it felt as if the show would have benefitted from a better story arch. At times, the consistent arguing between the characters seemed exhausting, continually holding the audience in the same place and lessening the impact of the rows. Additionally, the characterisation of each actor (perhaps intended?) made them unlikeable enough for the audience to not quite care or empathise with the outcome.

Overall, the show was enjoyable, clever and funny but it would have had even greater potential if the show had more substance to the storyline.

Old Red Lion Theatre

2^nd – 13^th August

Written and directed by Jack Robertson

Performed by Jacob Lovick, Megan Jarvie, Georgia Andrews and Jack J. Fairley

Reviewed by Amelia Barney