`A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM' AS IT WAS MEANT TO BE (PLAY REVIEW)

If you've seen "A Midsummer Night's Dream" many times before, see ACTER's version for the nuances of language and the focus most productions lack. For those who've never seen Shakespeare's most magical play, this production should make you want to see others.

Like the uproariously funny acting troupe that appears within the play itself, ACTER tries to do more with less. Unlike Quince and Bottom and their pals, ACTER succeeds through their utter professionalism.

A near-capacity audience of mostly high school students gave the company a standing ovation after Tuesday night's performance at Rose Theatre. Other performances will be given at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights.

The students came from as far away as Clearwater High School, most accompanied by drama or English teachers. Classes were there from Woodland R-2, Oran, Jackson and Sikeston junior high and high schools.

The five-member British company in residence at Southeast this week brings Shakespeare to life by dispensing with a set and big cast. Their stage is simply a large white cloth. When they step off, they are offstage and usually making sound effects for those still onstage. When they step back on, chances are their body movements say it's another of the 23 different characters.

Beginning with a comical introduction of the characters and wearing colorful tunics inspired by the Eastern flavor of the play, they tell the story of the lovers Hermia and Lysander and the mischief caused them by Oberon and Titania, the King and Queen of the Fairies.

Henrietta Bess is transfixing as Titania, both when rebuking Oberon and cuddling up to poor Bottom (Peter Forbes) after he's been changed into an ass. This transformation accomplished by Puck (David Acton) is left to our imagination and the actors' (both Forbes' and Acton's) consummate skill.

The slow-motion scene when the others are first frightened by Bottom's transformation is just wonderful.

Biddy Wells is truly affecting as Helena, who even magic can't make believe she is loved.

And Peter Lindford draws the biggest laughs of the night as Flute, who must portray a woman in the workmen's play.

This is the play as it must have been originally performed, with near-slapstick humor and the spotlight falling on Shakespeare's poetry and the actors' inventive characterizations.

Surely Shakespeare is acquiring many new fans thanks to this ACTER tour of the U.S. Locally we can thank Dr. Roy Dawson, the Southeast English professor who arranged the ACTOR residency.

Tonight, Biddy Wells and David Acton will present "Beyond the Grave and Fairylands: A Selection of Ghosts in Stories, Poems and Epitaphs." A reception will be held in the theater lobby afterward.