Judi Dench is back as Shakespeare’s Titania in Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Rose Theatre. She is no stranger to the role, having played it in school at York in the 1940s and also on stage and film for Peter Hall in the 1960s.
Dench’s performance is brilliant. She gives weight to every word spoken. In Titania’s speech on the disastrous consequences of climate change, you hear Dench’s voice perceptibly harden when she tells how “the childing autumn, angry winter change their wonted liveries. And, after a night spent with the ass, Dench skips and skitters around without any of the physical explicitness you sometimes find in modern productions, Dench simply conveys the ecstasy and ardour of a brief, if misplaced, passion.
Dench brings her special talents to a good classical production. Charles Edwards is a very fine Oberon and certainly reveals the sadistic delight with which he torments the fairy queen. But, in a play that is all about spiritual transfiguration, Edwards conveys a proper sense of guilt.
The lovers, meanwhile, are decently played, but Rachael Stirling stands out as the abused Helena. She is also excellent in the battle with Annabel Scholey’s Hermia.
Still it is Judi Dench who brings the necessary magic to the show.
