Folksy Theatre are a non-for-profit rural touring theatre company and tour the UK with their indoor and open-air productions and specialise in Shakespearean productions and family musical adaptations.
The play follows four young lovers who flee into an enchanted forest and stumble into a chaotic world of mischievous fairies, feuding royalty and a troupe of amateur actors with more enthusiasm than talent and it flits seamlessly between the three scenarios. It covers everything from couples falling madly in love one minute to unrequited love, lust, rejection and abandonment the next.
Whilst the packed audience are settling into their seats, we are introduced to and welcomed by the actors who appear on stage as four musicians doing a turn at Mike’s open mike night at the ‘Snug Lion Pub’ and we are serenaded by their extremely talented uplifting folk style singing, accordion, violin and guitar playing, composed and musically directed by Stephanie MacGaraidh.
As the play proceeds, we are introduced along the way to the many characters, Duke Theseus, Queen Hippolyta, Oberon King of the fairies, Titania Queen of the fairies and Puck Oberon’s sprite, all under the light of the moon.
Interspersed we meet the would-be actor characters, Peter who directs the play within a play and speaks its prologue, Bottom who plays Pyramus, Flute who plays Thisbe and Snug who plays Lion. Whilst portraying these characters they sing and dance - ‘The Mechanicals’ song being one, also a little tap dancing on one occasion and all whilst playing their musical instruments, all so very talented.
I must commend the speed in which all the actors change in and out of their costumes so seamlessly to enable each play their many characters one after the other, quite remarkable. They move around quite athletically and command the stage so effectively.
The actors, Gilchrist Muir who reminded me of a Gollum (Lord of the Rings) like style I thought, and Stuart Scott in a Freddie ‘Parrott Face’ Davies (Comedian & Actor) like style, (showing my age here), were hilariously interactive throughout and mingled amongst the audience scavenging food to eat especially sweets from the children, which they loved.
This fast-paced comedic upbeat play has been created to appeal to all ages and was an all-round family pleaser with something for everyone. Both children and adults alike were either howling laughing or tittering throughout. It was tantalisingly saucy in parts but most subtly and modestly done as not to offend. Was it real or was it all just a dream?
Luckily the predicted rain and thunderstorms held off during the performance and as the evening light faded it created a lovely atmospheric ambiance.
The audience gave a standing ovation at the end and if Sir Ken Dodd had been amidst us in the audience this evening, I think he would join me in saying very aptly ‘how tattyfilarious’ and how ‘flabbergastingly good’ it was. I thoroughly recommend you see for yourself.
Check upcoming dates and details directly through the Folksy Theatre official site at https://folksytheatre.co.uk/.
The Team:
Tom Hardwicke - Director
Lee Hardwicke – Producer/Co-Artistic Director
Stephanie MacGaraidh- Composer/Musical Director
Actors:
Seonaid Stevenson
Ariane Murchie
Stuart Scott
Gilchrist Muir
Reviewer: Jill Ollerton
On: 28/08/26
