A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, for a season.

SHAKESPEAREAN slapstick is much to the fore in this adaptation of one of the Bard's most performed and popular comedies.

There are many strands to how director Gregory Doran has decided The Dream can be delivered - and though one or two might slighly miss their target, when they are pulled together in this frantic and fun-filled format it provides an unforgettable night at the theatre.

Having been privileged to see Mr Doran's work before, both as actor and director, and knowing his prowess and knack of cultivating a comic character I had been hoping for and anticipating such feast of fun.

And it was easy to judge audience reaction. You only had to glance around to see people with tears of laughter, some almost doubled up in helpless mirth, and the considerable ovationthe efforts on stage received.

If you've got those who have paid their money on your side it doesn't matter one jot what the critics think.

If there is one slight criticism it would with the forest scene where you could be forgiven if you thought you were peering at the barricades in Les Miserables - a tangle of bedsteads and wire. But you soon become accustomed to it, and the lighting throughout was first class.

Puck is played in considerable style - quite camp and cameo by the excellent Jonathan Slinger - spare tyre and all beneath his vest. His mischievous ways made him most watchable.

And our four lovers are a bundle of energy between them. All enthusiasm and with an easily recognisable common touch.

While the first half might be termed the scene-setter, the second half rapidly becomes the romp - where everything eventually comes out perfectly in the wash.

It's also a half in which a possible group of Barry escapees from Auf Wiedersehn Pet, rule the roost. We'd been introduced early on to Bottom (Malcolm Storry) and friends - a group of Brummie mechanics - who rehearse and perform the play within a play.

They're hilarious, an absolute riot and steal what is a tremendous night of magic and mirth.

AW