It was supposed to be a family evening out, but with this virus continuing to be passed around the Tribe, the Littlest had handed the ‘bug baton’ to GD and given that I had a serious case of cabin fever, Father of the Tribe took over the role of head nurse, so it was a part-family evening. I had decided to take the Littlest as well as the others after she had watched the CBeebies version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (completely brilliant and worth watching), rather a lot while in the sick bay at home, and was utterly transfixed by it. How can a five year old not love the play? There are fairies, lots of mischief and the main character is called ‘Bottom’!

The location for the evening was the Boy’s school, Bishop Wordsworth in Salisbury and sitting on the Headmaster’s Lawn, in the shadow of the cathedral spire as the sky gradually darkened, the magic was already there. With everyone eating their picnics in family groups it felt as though we were watching a rather personal performance.

The Rain or Shine Theatre Company, a professional touring theatre company whose aim is ‘to bring classical professional theatre into the heart of local communities at an affordable price’. They were utterly fabulous with the actors taking on multiple roles on stage and backstage. The Littlest’s favourite was definitely Nick Bottom (Rob Leetham) – he was very, very funny. I rather liked Hermia (Emmeline Braefield) and Helena (Pippa Meekings), particularly feisty young women, a fabulously camp Demetrius (John Cooper-Evans) and beautifully played Lysander (Matt Ferriman). Then again the fairies were all wonderful and Puck (Rob Keeves) particularly naughty.

All in all a lovely evening – well done to the BWSPA for organising the evening and we will return next year to watch Twelfth Night, hopefully with a full complement of the Tribe.

www.rainorshine.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/a-midsummer-nights-dream