Show: Demetrius Wakes
Venue: The Old Red Lion Theatre, London
Running until: 19th August 2022
Star Rating: ★★★★
Everyone knows A Midsummer Nights Dream; arguably one of Shakespeare’s best works and an example of true theatre: magic, mayhem, crossed lovers, people turning into donkeys and loving people they’re not supposed to, laugh until you cry content – and of course a happy ending!
Well, Demetrius Wakes currently running at the Old Red Lion theatre in London is the sequel to this play that you didn’t know you needed and it is every part as chaotic and hilarious as the very play it is inspired by.
The show is set 15 years after the events of A Midsummer Nights Dream, whereupon the four lovers reunite to celebrate their anniversaries; yet with Demetrius wondering what led to his marriage to Helena and everything that followed, this leads to the four lovers revealing harsh truths, honest revelations and a night entirely different to what they first planned and hoped for.
With Jack Robertson responsible for the writing and direction, this play has a hilarious yet clever script that not only is filled with natural comedy that flows, but also some really relevant and relatable themes interwoven throughout about how mundane married life can be, going through the motions, and what happens when you find yourself stuck with no excitement for life anymore.
One minute there is witty back and forth lines mocking Hermia’s height (very reminiscent of the scene in a Midsummer Nights Dream), the next, frustrations being vented about how married life has become so mundane compared to the fun they all once had in their youths. Whilst this show is a sequel to A Midsummer Nights Dream, no prior knowledge of the original Shakespearean text is needed to understand Demetrius Wakes and show can be enjoyed in its own right. It is accessible, fun, chaotic – almost like a sequel for people who don’t understand nor like Shakespeare.
Jacob Lovick, Megan Jarvie, Georgia Andrews & Jack J. Fairley all did a stellar job stepping into the shows of the the four lovers – Zander (Lysander), Mia (Hermia), Hel (Helena) and Demetrius. Throughout the performance there is a natural chemistry between the group that is palpable and really added to the depth of the script and added a layer of authenticity. The cast are all fantastic in their roles, the lines both serious and comedic being delivered in a real genuine nature; no one had to try too hard for their words to have an impact as their acting choices through delivery and performance was perfect to have the desired impact.
Closing the cast is Sam Harlaut as everyone’s favourite cheeky spirit who causes all the mayhem – none other than Puck himself who is back and bringing all the glitter and flamboyance to the show. Harlaut has a wonderful stage presence and infectious energy they bring to the performance and actually Puck is more of an onlooker in this sequel than the usual meddling spirit. At times during the show, it was equally as fun to watch Haurlaut’s reactions as Puck to the what was happening with the mortals’. As entertaining as Puck’s lines were, at times Harlaut didn’t even need to say a single word and the facial expressions did more than enough and spoke for themselves.
Something particularly clever about the role of Puck within this show is although he was more of an onlooker than active partaker, there were still times he addressed the audience with script sections that were reminiscent of Shakespeare’s style with the language and rhyming, yet still easy to comprehend and process. These interludes didn’t necessarily break up the play but added an amusing commentary on the current events – especially hearing thoughts on what’s happening from the perspective of a spirit and not a mere mortal!
Demetrius Wakes is staged in an intimate setting at the Red Lion theatre and this choice is really effective given the nature of the show. Due to the small theatre venue, the audience are as much at the heart of the show as the performers themselves and feel as onlookers to a private event – especially in times when performers direct certain sections at the audience directly. This direction choice is really effective and doesn’t feel awkward but rather quite an inventive and creative use of the space.
To have brought a Shakespeare play and it’s characters into the 21st century and make it relatable is no small feat, but Jack Robertson has taken on this challenge; having written and directed a play that is hilarious, relatable, he has taken Shakespeare up a gear in a hugely entertaining way. Robertson’s play combined with the equally talented cast make this show as excellent as it is and are all sure to bring a smile to your face.
Running until the 19th August, Demetrius Wakes may not be a show with the glitz and glamour of west end shows, but it is one guaranteed to do what theatre is all about: entertain.
You can book tickets to see Demetrius Wakes here: https://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/DemetriusWakes.html
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