Review of William Shakepseare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, performed by the Marin Shakespeare Company

Performances run until Sunday, September 29th, 2019

Review by Hannah Yurke

The Marin Shakespeare Company’s (MSC) ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, was an enchanting and original performance, that really caught the spirit I believe Shakespeare intended, when he wrote this play 423 years ago. It’s among Shakespeare’s most popular plays, but a bad adaptation can still be boring and irrelevant. The only things I remember after seeing an open air production in London many years ago, are the flakes of dandruff on the collar of the man in front of me, the discordant elevator music the Faerie’s speech was sung to, and the freezing concrete of the outdoor seats. With the MSC’s version I came away steeped in the spirit of mischief, mayhem, magic and humor. I brought along my 13 year old daughter, (always the toughest critic), who knew nothing about a Midsummer Night’s Dream, and she too was able to follow and greatly enjoy the play.

I arrived uninformed about the details of this particular production, but in her opening speech, Lesley Schisgall Currier, who is both MSC managing director and production director, explained the life changing work this company does with people in California prisons and at risk youth, with their Shakespeare for Social Justice Program. An unlikely sounding mission perhaps, but two cast members are former prison inmates, who through experiencing acting for the first time while incarcerated, had the course of their lives greatly transformed for the better. The idea of having an entirely non white cast came from an idea conceived between Lesley Schisgall Currier and former inmate, Dameion Brown, who plays Oberon.

What’s most important though, is that, regardless of class, color, crime or creed, this play genuinely rocked, from the rap themes and dance sequences, to the top notch performances and simple, but elegant costumes. I especially loved Hippolyta’s African inspired, stunning red dress and head piece. I couldn’t tell which cast members were the former prisoners, until I read the programme after the performance, which speaks volumes for the highly professional work the MSC is producing. Judging by the standing ovation after the play, the rest of the audience felt the same way.

In the words of MSC Artistic Director, Robert Currier, the choice of a non white cast was to ‘spark discussions about race and culture and who Shakespeare belongs to and benefits today.’ In the compelling video interview above, created by MSC, Dameion Brown talks about learning to act whilst in prison. A class he almost accidentally fell into, to avoid an infraction penalty from a prison guard, slowly broke down the long held conflicts between gang members and transformed these hardened men into a collaborative troupe of Shakespearian actors who gained new found respect for themselves and each other. It underscores the fact that Shakespeare is most definitely not just for the predominantly, and perhaps predictably, white audience who watched the play. It made me wonder about the oceans of undiscovered and unchanneled artistic potential that is still out there, on our streets and in our prisons, unrealized, because of trauma, background and toxic codes of gang behavior.

As it turns out, Maverick Harrison who plays Puck was another former inmate, but beautifully cast, and played with a wonderfully elfin demeanor, (I really admired his patent and leather sneaker boots), Kathryn Smith-McGlynn, as Titania was captivating, regal and dignified, aforementioned Dameion Brown as Oberon jealous and majestic, with the attendant faeries, unobtrusive, yet full of individual character. The play within a play succeeded in its intention as comic relief, with Jordan Olivier-Verdé as Pyramus/Bottom, truly a laugh out loud stand out, in the dual roles of pompous amateur actor and uncultured ass. It is a particular irony that there were no bumbling amateur actors in this play to speak of.

Sitting outside in the Forest Meadows amphitheatre in San Rafael, the play began on a breezy evening just before sunset and ended in darkness, which absolutely added to the spirit of the occasion. One of my favorite moments, as this tale of misdirected love in a magical wood unfolded, was when a large pale, almost florescent green dragon fly zoomed towards me out of the darkness and then arced away, back up into the night sky. An uninvited fairy seeming to endorse the idea that this production got to the core of Shakespeare’s magic and had an especially good heart. I recommend it without hesitation.

Another thing that struck me on my first visit to this theater was how warm and accommodating the front of house staff all were. They seemed to reflect the spirit of generosity, and positive social change that lies at the heart of the Marin Shakespeare Company. There is also a very honest and moving interview with Maverick Harrison, (who played Puck), on the MSC website detailing how his life was realigned by the Shakespeare in San Quentin program, that is well worth reading (click here.) He appeared in two Shakespeare productions there, and did the musical score for what the company call parallel plays, which take the theme of a Shakespeare play that’s been worked on and is transposed into stories inspired by the experiences of the inmates themselves.

A little known fact is that the public can actually attend these parallel plays in San Quentin prison. The next performances are October 11th and 23rd, 2019.

You can also attend performances by the Returned Citizens Theatre Troupe at 514 Fourth St, San Rafael, who put on plays about issues of particular concern to them, or you can even find out about how to train to be a social justice drama therapist. It’s worth visiting the social justice section of the MSC website as there is a wealth of fascinating information about their transformative work to be found there.

In the words of Lesley Schisgall Currier, ’most, if not all, of the people I see in prison have experienced serious trauma. Many have honed skills of resilience, patience, and self reflection. Many are struggling to understand what led them to commit crimes, often in their youth, and how they need to change their lives so that they can make retribution and give back to others. Racism, discriminatory policing, socio-economics, greed and the lack of investment in communities of color are equally as responsible for mass incarceration as the disastrous choices made by individuals. Inmates are often victims of poverty and discrimination themselves…Through the Social Justice program inmates drop out of gangs, enroll in GED and college courses and re-unite with family members, They touch base with their true selves, interact deeply with others of different backgrounds for the first time and learn they can play other roles than ‘convict’ or ‘criminal’.’

Apart from their incredible work with prisons, MSC also offer summer camps, classroom visits and training and acting internships for more mainstream students.

Here is a gem of a company entirely deserving of our support, so I urge you to go out and see ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ It’s entirely worth your while. Bring layers. Cushions are available to rent for a dollar, ensuring you come away with much richer memories than how cold and achy your butt is!

Photos by Jay Yamada. With permission by the Marin Shakespeare Company.