A Midsummer's Night Dream, Synetic Style

The Synetic Theater Company, or as we like to call it, the world-class theater in our Crystal City basement, is back, this time with a revival of one of their former productions A Midsummer's Night Dream.

As with all of their Shakespeare adaptions, the play is silent, meaning the setting, staging, costuming, music, dance, physical action, and especially in this case, the actor's expressions and reactions have to carry both the story and message. And they do.

In its review, the Washington Post called the play "a particular sensual pleasure. It was not just energetic and sexy; it was light, big-hearted and magnetic." The Washingtonian gives the play 4 stars, claiming in its review that the revival is "a visually stunning piece, as well as one that truly embraces the comedy component of Shakespeare’s dreamy work."

Of course, the Synetic story line follows that of Shakespeare's original comedy - the adventures of 2 couples who get stranded in a forest and fall victim to the pranks of fairies and sprites, and the misadventures of five buffoonish actors attempting to put on a play.

Alex Mills as a bent-back Puck

The play usually is dominated by the character Puck and that is true of this Synetic version. An incredibly lithe and limber, blue, spiky-haired Alex Mills flips and swings his way through the mystical moon-lit forest on vines.

A special shoutout also goes to Synetic in-house composer Konstantine Lortkipanidze, who gets much stage time playing piano live for the silent-film, slapstick happy, modern-dressed actors' troupe.

The play, with a running time of 1 hour and 45 minutes with no admission, continues until Aug. 4.

Tales, Tidbits, and Tips
Shakespeare's plays are made to be seen, not read about. And this Synetic version is no different. Click here to view the official trailer for the production.