Anna-Helena McLean’s Titania

An amazing one-woman show that I saw on the Greenwich Theatre leg of its nationwide tour. McLean not only devised this extraordinary reimagining of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, she also composed the score and performed the words, songs and instrumental parts herself. A mix of electronic loops, assured cello-playing, skilful acting and her amazing voice – sweeping from Minnie Riperton-style high notes to contralto grunts  – recreated the magical world of Shakespeare’s fairy queen to a tee. She never lost sight of the Bard’s playful comedy (there was a particularly marvellous sequence based on audience participation) but she also stressed the darkness at the heart of the play. This was live theatre at its very best. Such a shame more people didn’t see it.

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