The Dream

Magic, madness and mayhem is not usually the kind of billing used to describe a Shakespearean production. However, in this year’s production of The Dream, an up-tempo rendition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, it is particularly apt. Sacré Coeur drama director, Diane Gavelis, has once again taken an innovative approach, giving this production a contemporary “make-over” to bring it to life for a group of young actors, dancers and puppeteers. A large sand pit has been created on the stage of The Randall Theatre at St Martin’s Arts Centre in South Yarra. The characters of the Greek court, as well as the spirit creatures of the Midsummer forest, crawl, roll, tumble, fall and trudge through it. Black Theatre puppetry, full bodied slap stick comedy, and percussive movement passages punctuate the work. This is undoubtedly a richly textured work and has been a challenging process for students to experience. Year 12 students Xavier O’Shannessy and Peter Gourgoulis, with Nathan Berenger, do a sterling job playing the two young men competing for the love of both Hermia and Helena. Sebastien Oliver, Eugene Twomey, Joseph Ciliberto. Nick Place, Grant Curnow, Simon Windley and Alessandro Formica take on roles as puppeteers and characters of the court. Congratulations to all participants on an excellent contemporary interpretation of a classic piece of theatre. Mr Bryan Smith Production Choreographer