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The Argus.co.uk
What’s on – stage – stage reviews
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Michelham Priory, near Hailsham

Quantum Theatre’s accessible and fun production was contemporary without being contrived. The use of pop songs added to the comedy as a jack-the-lad Demetrius (Paul Hampton inexplicably dressed as if auditioning for Miami Vice) came on stage to the tune of You’re so Vain. Meanwhile, the wedding celebration featured all the old favourites, including the Duke as a sort of embarrassing uncle struggling to do the Macarena.
Shakespeare’s tale of love transformed, misplaced and finally restored had a relevance not seen in other productions – without destroying the magic. For example, in a scene familiar in town centres everywhere, a thwarted Hermia (Amie Clapson) swung her handbag at Helena (Siri Ingul) while a laughing Demetrius and Lysander (Kevin Kemp) looked on.
The cast of six took on multiple roles, seamlessly switching from one to the next. Clapson had fun as an energetic Puck, complete with EastEnders accent and a Don King wig, while Hampton made an ass of himself as Bottom. The device enabled some nice parallels as, for example, Ingul’s bewitched Titania pursued the donkey-headed Bottom with the same passion her wonderfully obsessive Helena had chased after Demetrius.
My one (small) criticism is that this production did not make enough use of the gorgeous setting. Despite this, it was a magical performance – and, like half the cast, I was spellbound.

Thisisstaffordshire.co.uk
The Sentinel

Park evening was perfect - A Midsummer Night's Dream, Congleton Park

IT'S A brave theatre company that performs in the open air, particularly in a damp August – and it's a brave audience that sets off with picnics, rugs and brollies to Congleton Park for an evening beneath not altogether welcoming skies.
The bravery was amply rewarded, though, with a dry night and a boisterous, bouncy production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Quantum Theatre – a London-based touring company – knows how to reach out to its public. The production, performed by just six energetic actors playing all roles, combined slapstick, conjuring tricks and pop music to engage the audience without in the least debasing Shakespeare's play.
There is a marvellous handbagging scene as Hermia (Amie Clapson) belts the living daylights out of Helena (Siri Ingul) who she believes has stolen her lover Lysander (Kevin Kemp). Cunning staging allows actors to disappear into trunk which is then picked up and carried away, and craftily chosen snippets of pop music offer a neat commentary on the action. There's also a weather forecast from a portable radio.
Pride of place, though, must go to the "rude mechanicals" – the tradesmen who present a play within a play. The audience loved the hapless Peter Quince (Kevin Kemp) trying to rehearse his ragamuffin crew of Snug (Paul Chambers), Bottom (Paul Hampton) and other members of the versatile cast.
I'd not come across Quantum Theatre before. If it returns I shall look forward to another evening in the park – even if next time it rains.