Titania (Lucy Green) and Bottom (Rian Thompson)
QUEENSLAND BALLET - PLAYHOUSE, QPAC. 12-27 APRIL 2024
Classic Shakespearean comedy bursts into vibrant life in this Queensland Ballet production filled with mischief and joyous mayhem.
Titania, Queen of the Fairies (danced beautifully by Lucy Green) is married to the statuesque Oberon, King of the Fairies (danced with power and authority by Joel Wollner). They quarrel over a Changeling found sleeping in the woods. Much to Oberon’s annoyance, Titania takes possession of the infant. Oberon summons his apprentice Puck (Kohei Imomoto) to search for a magical flower which, when sprinkled, causes a sleeping person to fall in love with the first creature he or she sees upon awakening.
The order of the universe is upset when apprentice Puck goes about his magical antics, including his sprinkling of the flower on sleeping Titania.
The plot thickens when Titania awakens and falls madly in love with the first person she sees, the humble 'Bottom' the Weaver whom Puck has transformed into a donkey. Bottom cannot believe his luck. He is living every man’s dream to be loved by the fairy princess!
After interval Puck is soundly reprimanded by Oberon and ordered to reverse the magic influence.
The delightful music of the piece is composed by Felix Mendelsson and performed wonderfully by Camerata – Queensland Chamber Orchestra as arranged and conducted by Nigel Gaynor.
The opening night audience warmly enjoyed this frolic of paradox and stunningly beautiful dance.
Reviewed by: Matt Foley
Performance seen: Friday 12th April 2024 at 7.30pm at Playhouse, QPAC
Performances: 12-27 April 2024
Choreographer: Liam Scarlett
Duration: 2 hours including a 20-minute interval
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