If you think you don’t like your Shakespeare mucked about with, I hope you saw this brilliantly creative and imaginative Rep Company production. The famous frolics of Shakespeare’s Dream- set in a 1950s Happy-Days style diner, with reference to in-vogue B movies- were partially adapted by James Killeen, himself cast as a nerdish extra-terrestrial Oberon. The accompanying soundtrack is not only superb but in songs like the Everly Brothers’ Bye Bye Love, it reminds us human nature hasn’t changed one iota in 400 years. Director Petina Hapgood worked very hard with a great cast including Michael Mitcham superb as Bottom, Lucinda Lloyd & Sarita Plowman most effective as Helena & Hermia, and Anita Golschewsky as an impish Puck and Christa Engelbrecht as a very strong 1st Alien. The production made a successful transfer to the Courtyard Theatre thereafter (Vernon Thompson - Theatre Director)
Engelbrecht, that is starting at Central School of Speech and Drama in London, made her stage debut with this adaptation. She played the role of Titania’s 1st Alien. Protecting her at all costs. “Christa was completely focused and her energy could be felt throughout the play”. ”That girl with the long legs... she could really sing. And a really nice actor, too, really good all round”. Christa is preparing for her 1st feature film, Culture Shock, with independent director, Steve Balderson. Balderson has recently won 5 awards at the Independent Vision Awards, Including Best Picture and Best Director.
......................................Christa Engelbrecht performed well as first alien in Petina Hapgood's splendid Sci- Fi adaption of Midsummer Nights dream.
It's 1950's B movie ethos, worked surprisingly well.With Oberon and his other underworld cohorts cast as aliens.
"Christa gave a commanding and physical performance as the first alien. A thoroughly convincing and scary interpretation of a creature from another world. Redolent of Callista Gingrich's Mars attacks alien femme fatale and Milla Jovovich in Fifth Element. She elegantly evokes a tongue in cheek comedic irony and sense of menace which worked perfectly with the shlock horror theme of the play."
Will Kevans (STUNT DOG PRODUCTIONS)
