midsummergals-blog

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Pyramus and Thisbe: A Review

By Titania Fairybottom, The Fairy Queen

Over the weekend, I watched a play with my new husband, Oberon. Yes, that Oberon. I honestly don’t know what happened, everything’s been moving so fast. I am happy with where I am at now, however. I oversaw Pyramus and Thisbe written by playwright Peter Quince. It was directed by director Peter Quince. I’m not sure if it was the same human, or simply a sibling with the same name. I am still learning how to differentiate human faces. The play was what you might call... Charming. The characters had spunk and were able to capture an audience’s attention well. However, the story was somewhat bland and the acting was much below par. However, I’m sure it was able to entertain the simple mortal mind. My immortal fairy brain requires a much more intricate design of play. It was not necessarily a bad play, but rather more of an immature play. To an immortal being it was just not satisfactory. I have been around a very long time and have witnessed many different types of theatrical works, and this play just wasn’t up to par. I much preferred the works of Cleopatra and Antony, over this quaint little Quince person. Although I’m sure he tries, he is trying to round up a group of seemingly infants. The main character was so unattractive and poorly, I will never find a compatible animal for him to fall in love with in all my immortal years.

The show followed to lovers by the names of Pyramus (Nick Bottom) and Thisbe (Francis Flute).  The two were kept apart but under the moonlight (Robin Starveling) they met each other on opposites sides of a wall (Tom Snout). The two whispered and kissed through a chink in the wall. The lover agreed to meet again however Thisbe was pursued by a lion. (Snug) Honestly, the lion’s shy monologue to the audience about not being afraid of him was the best part of this show. His quiet roar made me want to adopt him as my own. Maybe I should get in contact with his mother, in case she dies unexpectedly. We wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to the poor boy. But I digress. Pyramus returns to the wall to find Thisbe gone and only a scrap of fabric is left behind in her wake. Pyramus, in distress and disarray, decides that he can’t go on. While giving a long, over dramatic, and somewhat emotional monologue Pyramus plunges a sharp sword into his chest and takes his own life. Thisbe returns having survived the lion’s attacks, to find Pyramus dead. She, also giving a long, over dramatic, and emotional monologue takes her own life as well. I saw some of my weaker fairies dabbing their eyes at the death scene, but I did not feel a thing. The acting left much to be imagined. The play ended as any good tragedy does, with everyone dying. I was rather perversely happy at this point, but I hid it well. The actor who played Pyramus, Nick Bottom, offered an epilogue at the end, but I think we all could agree that we had seen enough. All in all, I cannot say whether I can recommend the play or not, but it certainly gave me something to do.

[midsummergals-blog]

Magic or Murder? Four Athenians Have Gone Missing in the Woods, Who’s To Blame?

(Above: Artist’s rendition of main suspects)

Multiple sources say there has been a disappearance near the woods of Athens. Helena, Demetrius, Lysander, and Hermia were last seen entering the woods 3 days ago, but have not emerged. Their families are very worried. They have offered a reward of an unnamed amount of gold and shillings to whomever has information that could lead to their location. Please send a telegram to the news headquarters to receive your reward.

Eyewitness Robin Goodfellow reports that some of the lovers appeared “frustrated and angry” while others appeared “happy and in love.” It has not yet been decided if foul play is a factor. Nor has it been decided which pair of lovers were frustrated, and which were happy. All parents insist that their child was happy, and the others were frustrated.  

There were reports of lovers quarrels between the four before their disappearance. However, little is known about what prompted them to enter the woods. There is speculations about Hermia and Lysander. The two were recently involved in a scandal with Theseus and Egeus, regarding whether Hermia would marry Demetrius or Lysander. Theseus claims “Hermia loves Lysander and was very upset when she was told to marry Demetrius.” Athenian police are looking into a possible runaway situation.

However, the real question is about Helena and Demetrius. According to witnesses Helena is in love with Demetrius, however he detests her. Rumor is that they had had relations in the past. Though recently, Demetrius has stated a new love for Hermia instead, much to the dismay of Helena.

Authorities believe that Helena may have run away out of shame however this does not explain Demetrius’ disappearance. Did he run into the woods to flee Helena’s pursuits? Did she follow him? Many questions are still left unanswered and the community hopes for the safe return of these individuals.

Women have begun to form a band to protect Hermia and Helena, if they return. They are rioting against the treatment of these women. We spoke with one of the members, who said, “Women nowadays are treated like dirt. No, less than dirt. They’re treated like the worms who live in the dirt. We need to be treated like the birds that soar above. I’m with Hermia and Helena.” The group believes that the women were chased out of town by the men. That, or they are escaping the oppressive society around them.

More details to come.

UPDATE: Athenians Found!

Two young men and two young women have been found alive in the forests of Athens. Though dazed and confused, the Athens were found unharmed. The Athenians were found asleep and recounted a crazy dream which consisted of fairies, magic flowers, and overall craziness.

Hermia seemed the most confused claiming she had been abandoned in the woods by her love, Lysander. She stated the reasoning for his departure was his sudden interest in Helena. However, all is well between the two lovers and they are happily together.

The real mystery is the sudden budding romance between Demetrius and Helena. Though many remember Demetrius’ hatred for Helena it seems as though the two have resolved their issues and returned happily in each other’s arms.

Because the Athenians returned by themselves, their parents haven’t awarded the shillings and gold to anyone. When asked the amount of the reward, Hermia’s father said, “Listen, we had a lot of money set aside to find our children. We love them a lot, we would have done anything. I promise it was a small fortune.” When pressed further, he refrained to comment. We can only believe that they didn’t have a reward at all.

All four Athenians have recalled a magical figure looming over them with what appeared to be a sweet scented flower right before they awoke. However, little is known whether this is truth or a product of the couples’ sleep deprivation. There may be more investigation into this strange creature.

They awoke just in time to see a production by the local mechanicals, which we have reviewed elsewhere on the site. It is a tragic romance play, which is said to make the members of the audience weep with laughter, then sadness, then loss.

The group of women has since disbanded. Once everyone was returned, they realized that the time was not right for women. One of their representatives stated, “You’ll hear from us eventually, we’ll be back. The world may not see women as people yet, but they will eventually.”

Magic figures and dreams aside, the couples have returned home safely and are set to be married.

[midsummergals-blog]

Dear Puck, I'm a lead in this amazing play I'm putting on, and I feel like my cast mates aren't appreciative of the work I put into my role. My director doesn't even let me do what I want with the role. I have to follow his rules! How backwards is that? - Fuming Thespian

Fuming Thespian-

I understand how you feel. I also have to follow someone else’s rules, and it sucks sometimes. I think you just have to imagine that you’re doing what they say because you want to- not because they told you so. My leader just sent me on a trip to pick some flowers and crush them in some random humans’ eyes. Instead of grumbling about how I didn’t want to, I decided to see how fast I could do it. Yeah, you could say my workplace is a bit backwards too. Thankfully though, just because it’s backwards doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. I advise you to try to see it from your director’s perspective. I myself just run and jump around when given a task to do, and it makes it simply fly by. Also, you must remember that no matter how good the actor is, they have to listen to someone. Why shouldn’t it be your director?

Now about your cast mates not appreciating you- I doubt that. Many people have more than one way to show appreciation, so it’s likely that they’re just showing it in more subtle ways. It’s hard to not appreciate great acting, from an objective perspective. If you’re truly as great of an actor as you say you are, then they are appreciative. And if they aren’t: who cares? They can’t stop you from acting how you are. They can stay in their own lane for a bit, and you can handle yourself. Now, I’m afraid I have to go. The crushed flowers I mentioned earlier backfired, and now I have to be the clean up crew. But I won’t grumble about it being backwards that I have to do the work! Ciao!

Love and kisses,

Puck