Scene from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ by Edwin Landseer (1848)

Dear Readers, on Wednesday I was at The Globe for my third production of Midsummer Night’s Dream in six months. At least I’m hoping that Bottom doesn’t get shot, unlike the last version I saw at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. It’s the right time of year for the play, for sure, though I hope the temperature will have dropped a little from the 32 degrees celsius when I’m writing this.

Samuel Pepys described MSND as ‘the most insipid ridiculous play I ever saw in my life’. Hopefully, I’ll be rather less dyspeptic about it, but only time (thyme) will tell. And here is a sample, just for you….

I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine:
There sleeps Titania sometime of the night,
Lulled in these flowers with dances and delight.
(Oberon, Act 2 Scene 1)

And also this, for my many small, fierce friends…

O, when she’s angry, she is keen and shrewd.
She was a vixen when she went to school,
And though she be but little, she is fierce.
(Helena, Act 3 Scene 2)

I shall report back later!