Last night we went to see Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" performed in a local park. The play itself was funny; the actors did a great job of modernizing Shakespeare and imparting the comedy so that even young children who probably didn't understand what was happening still laughed aloud at their antics.
Even more than the play, I enjoyed being outside on a balmy summer evening, surrounded by people ready to be entertained. We all had chairs, coolers, blankets, pillows and snacks. Small children played in the grass off to the side. People moved about and picnicked, greeted acquaintances, walked their dogs, and appreciated a little free Shakespeare. The smell of bug spray and popcorn intermingled in the air. The actors projected their voices from the amphitheater, gradually competing against crickets and cicadas, the occasional squeal of children and dogs barking. A plane flew overhead. An old car with a loud muffler idled by. And still Shakespeare's words went on, as they have for ages.
For more serious plays, I probably prefer an indoor stage setting. But for the folly of this comic play, I think the dreamy atmosphere of being outdoors on a midsummer night was perfect.
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