Film Review: Julie Taymor’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Acclaimed Director Julie Taymor’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which first premiered on Broadway in 2013, is coming to theatres for one night only on June 22 followed by select showings nationwide.

The film celebrated its New York premiere on June 15, 2015. It was presented by Hudson New York. The screening was held at DGA Theater and an after-party followed at the Hudson Hotel. Taymor’s direction of this classic Shakespearean tale is brilliant, with imaginative artistry from start to finish and clear choices for each of the characters. The show starts with Puck, coming onto the stage with a clownish instinct. Puck falls into bed and suddenly branches bring the bed into the sky, covering the entire ceiling. From this point on, the audience was sucked into this incredible vision of Shakespeare’s complicated love story. The cast of lovers included, Jake Horowitz (Lysander), Mandi Masden (Helena) and Lilly Englert (Hermia). This show was Englert’s debut, and unfortunately, she fell flat in her portrayal as Hermia. Though at times, she brought out the humour of the young woman, she made Hermia appear to be unintelligent and childish. The players included Max Casella (Bottom), Brendan Averett (Snug), Zachary Infante (Flute), Jacob Ming-Trent and Joe Grifasi (Peter Quince). This group of men stole the entire show, reacting brilliantly off of one another and playing with the text and physicality of their characters throughout. As an audience member, when these players would enter the stage, I was on the edge of my seat, never wanting them to leave.