strong>THE DREAM by Brian Kennington (Bear Productions). At the Walmer Theatre (188 Lowther). To May 8. $25. 647-702-6488. See Continuing. Rating: N
This pointless adaptation of the Bard’s classic comedy goes like this: A Midsummer Night’s Dream + clichéd summer camp drama + songs made popular in the 1970s by Three Dog Night = The Dream. But just because something can be done doesn’t mean it should.[rssbreak]
This panto-styled nightmare begins by setting up lovers Hermia (Chelsey Duplak) and Lysander (Shawn Meunier) as counsellors at Camp Shambala, a modern-day summer camp run by Hermia’s strict father (Roger McKeen). While the pair traipse through the surrounding forest in search of privacy, another group of counsellors take to the woods to rehearse a play. Both find themselves under the influence of some mischievous yet bumbling fairies.
Oh yeah, all this takes place while the cast and a backing band jam through selections from Three Dog Night’s classic-rock catalogue including Shambala, Midnight Runaway and Joy To The World.
If you’re scratching your head at this point, that makes two of us. Not even director Brian Kennington’s note in the program can adequately or coherently justify this combination.
The songs are forced into the plot, and despite the experienced cast, only Ryan Ward (Oberon and Nick Bottom) and Steven Gallagher (Puck) are able to breathe life into their one-dimensional characters. The Dream could get by as a campy kids’ comedy, but references to weed, ‘shrooms and oral sex would probably have to be edited out.
After enduring two and half hours of this uninspired absurdity, I had to wonder: what’s next? The Cherry Orchard set on a moon base featuring the music of Steppenwolf?
