Midsummer Nights Dream
The Globe, London
★★★★
 

IF there is any doubt that A Midsummer Night’s Dream can be played as a lark from start to finish, then this hyperactive Sean Holmes production will put such thoughts to bed.

Delivered with music hall panache throughout, every moment is milked for maximum silliness, while up in the gallery an off-the-wall, Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah style band accentuates the absurdities with rude blasts of the tuba, trombone and trumpet.

Jocelyn Jee Esien as Bottom is a Max Milleresque bundle of double (and single) entendre, making an agreeable ass of herself in more ways than one, while Faith Omole as a fiery, sexually charged Hermia provides some of the best moments of outraged, boisterous confusion.