Tyger Productions ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Review

So it’s all over, after months of rehearsals Tyger Productions ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ has come to a finish!

Oh what a brilliant time it has been despite the rain we still managed to do an outside performance, then moving into St Mary de Crypt to prevent a soggy miserable audience. We had to adapt to the space last minute but it went well and that made it all the more exciting to perform.

Have a look at this review my Paul Vale theatre critic…or check out his blogspot at http://www.paulvale126.blogspot.co.uk/

After a fleeting visit to my home town earlier this month, i have returned to Gloucester, this time simply to enjoy the production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, which my friend Rowena has produced. An open air production, it has been hampered slightly by the dreadful weather to which Britain is prone in the summer. The opening performance on Saturday night was able to run as normal with the sun actually shining and the grass of the Blackfriar's courtyard pretty dry.

I must say, the Tygers managed to pull it out of the bag and there were some lovely performances and thanks to Rowena some great costumes too. I laughed a lot and I couldn't help thinking how great it must be to be part of such a process. On Sunday however the rain may have turned to drizzle but it was insistent drizzle and the decision was made to perform in St Mary de Crypt church - the second church in Gloucester to see a performance this weekend!

On Saturday, at the request of a local church group, the Interlude of Pyramus and Thisbe was performed by the Tygers at St Mary de Lode on Archdeacon Street. It was quite nostalgic heading down to that side of the city, as I used to attend college there many, many years ago. The church is utterly enchanting and thankfully still in active use. Sad to say, St Mary de Crypt is no longer in use as a place of worship but the building is an astounding example of medieval mystery and Victoriana.

Rowena was handed the keys and allowed to use the space at will. Needless to say, both our minds were popping at the opportunity the atmospheric space affords but this was really a case of get in and get acting. Troupers that they are, the cast filled the space and the performance was a genuine delight - three babies in the audience and hardly a sound out of any of them. I am writing this piece up in the church between shows and it will be interesting to see how well the second performance goes.

My mind is already thinking of future projects and how St Mary de Crypt - in the heart of the city of Gloucester - could spring to life once more as a thriving venue in the community.

As ever loved performing with the Tygers even in my small role as Hippolyta, next up is Macbeth and I will be playing a witch! Which I have always wanted to play, excuse the pun.