A Midsummer Night's Dream (2013) - Play by William Shakespeare performed at the Noel Coward Theatre

* * * * 1/2

A stunning take on the Shakespearean comedy which allows a modern audience to easily grasp the language and enjoy the story fully. The setting had been modernised slightly, with hippy fairies and some cast members suited, this made the characters more recognisable than corseted and tight-wearing performers. The play is a disaster for love with four people all in love with the wrong person, with a little help from mischievous magic, and several bumbling actors who are terrorised by more fairy magic.

The cast were magnificent. David Walliams played Bottom and was ridiculously funny but also incredibly adept with the Shakespearean language because every line of his was completely understandable either through a well considered gesture or clever inclination. Sheridan Smith played Titania and she was amazing as a free-love hippy fairy queen. The supporting cast, less well known because they are not TV stars, were also very good, not a single person stuck out as a weak link. Shakespearean acting and London obviously go hand-in-hand and this show and cast did not disappoint.

The costumes and set design were really creative and suited the show. A lot of members in the audience would be very pleased because there are an awful lot of male torsos on show as well as women with cleavage out. Aside from the lack of clothing, the clothing that was there enhanced the characters. Titania had an eye-catching dress to set her apart from the ramshackle fairies, while the actors were dressed in shirts and waistcoats to promote a sense of dignity among them. The set was quite gothic and beautiful and caught my attention instantly. It was minimal and there was only one change but the space was decorated and used well.

The tiniest of gripes that I have with the production is the random moments of modern music and dance routines. I do not mind modern touches in old plays but these seemed quite forced and instead of moving along the plot were used as time fillers or distractions while cast members were changing. Obviously I understand the necessity for moments like these but I found them slightly too numerous and I think a better was of filling time could have been found.

Overall it was spectacular and strong in all areas. The crowd were laughing and applauding throughout and it was a great interpretation of Shakespeare. Not only did they modernise the setting but they brought the acting into the 21st century and made everything completely compatible with modern characters and ideas.