Oh spite! Oh hell! It wouldn’t be fair to audiences not to forewarn them that the beginning of 'The Lovers' is not a true representation of what’s in store. What follows that drab and ultimately misleading epilogue is anything but. If 'The Lovers' is what can be done with Shakespeare, then I want them all like this.
Having first premiered in 2022 at the Sydney Opera House, Laura Murphy’s 'The Lovers' takes on a story we all know well. Shakespeare’s most broadly appealing work, 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream', follows four young lovers who escape to an enchanted forest in search of love and freedom, only to be met with chaos.
Filled with pop culture references that range from Taylor Swift to the Clintons, 'The Lovers' is fun, loud, and gloriously flashy. It seamlessly blends Shakespearean text with pop music, creating an accessibility that Shakespeare can often lack.
Image © Joel Devereux
The chemistry between the entire cast is almost tangible. They blend together beautifully, each bringing energy, fun, and incredible vocals to the show.
Natalie Abbott (Helena) reprises her role from the original Bell Shakespeare production with such warmth and charisma that it’s impossible not to feel for her as she yearns unrequitedly for Demetrius. Jayme-Lee Hanekom’s Puck commands the stage as the chaos she caused unfolds around her, and Stellar Perry more than holds her own among a cast of classically trained musical theatre performers.
With only a disappointingly short Sydney season ending on 16 November, 'The Lovers' is an incredibly entertaining night at the theatre, part fever dream, part glitter bomb, and honestly, there’s still not nearly enough confetti. See it while you can.
Words: Casey Elder
