A Midsummer Night's Dream - BBC Shakespeare Collection [1981]

This production didn't 'fly' in a way I had hoped for. The fairy scenes with Titania are wonderful though and saved it all for me!

I first watched this years ago when the BBC made a series of Shakespreare productions. This features a young Helen Mirren and other established actors. I love this version of the play, a good one to watch on a summer evening with the scent of honeysuckle floating in through an open window. The BBC Shakespeare Collection have some of the best versions of the Bard's plays that I have seen, and I have seen a few. If you can't get to Stratford Theatre then this collection is a good way to experience Shakespeare and this play is one of my favourites.

This version of the play is well done but I found that I much preferred the action in the fairy glades to that which was set inside and I would have liked more special effects in keeping with the magical events. However, I particularly liked Titania's dress and hairstyle which reminded me of Pre-Raphaelite subjects, in fact the fairy bowers had a light dreamlike quality. Also I regard the choice Brian Glover as 'Bottom' to be inspired and I can't recall when I've seen the role preformed better. Both Helen Mirren and Peter McEnery provide the quality acting you would expect.

Saw this production many years ago and never forgot it.. So pleased to find the dvd on Amazon and have a chance to watch it again. It doesn’t disappoint. Absolutely loved it. Such a change from some modern productions with flashy dazzling special effects (not necessary) and half the text missing. Beautifully acted and clearly spoken- Brian Glovers Bottom was hilarious and Helen Mirren was superb. Highly recommended.

I know that any production is different and it is often a personal opinion but I found this production very uninspiring. I am working on the play with some Y8 pupils and bought this to give them some ideas on characterisation and movement. I found the setting very strange - always dark - and some of the characters did not fit very well. The downside to using well-known actors is that the face fits another role rather than Shakespeare. I'm also unconvinced that plays turn well into TV productions as they are totally different media.I had to abandon watching it with the Y8 pupils as they were becoming very bored and being 'turned off' rather than 'turned on'! I think it could have been far more lively and amusing.

I bought this for an Indian teacher who I work with overseas in Dubai. She has watched it and told me it was good. She will be using it with secondary students. We have strict rules in Dubai as to what would be appropriate to show students so I am presuming that it is suitable seeing as she has said it is. Haven't seen it myself though.

Watched this last night for the 3rd time in a month. (I'm studying the play in preparation for seeing it at the Globe.) A really wonderful production which I've enjoyed more with each viewing. Helen Mirren as Titania is superb. The first time I watched this I had just watched (on youtube) a bubbly brilliant production (1968) with Judi Dench as Titania and Helen Mirren as Hermia, and this seemed rather dark by comparison. But now I am completely in love with this version too. Highly recommended. Enjoy - it's wonderful.

As expected. A lovely production.