A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Everyman

Shakespeare's much-loved comedy is a lot darker in the hands of new associate director Nick Bagnall and collaborator, the designer Ashley Martin-Davis.

In the excellent programme notes, Nick says: "Both of us were very keen not to do a traditional romp through the woods - we wanted to create a darker, more apocalyptic world."

They have.

Designer Ashley adds: "We had a few rules: No wings. No trees. No moon."

Forsooth, tis true - here colour is white-washed out.

Nick and Ashley are as good as their words (and Shakespeare's).

Perchance to make us all think again about love.

This is A Midsummer Night's Dream with a difference - they wanted it to be aggressive. Tis achieved.

Flashback to the 80s and Glen Walford directed her version set in Bali.

That is the theatrical trademark of the electric Everyman - experimental theatre without leaving the boundaries of the commercial.

It was a joyous, warm production that sold out because it was a new, inventive take.

In 2015, the Everyman still shouts out "we do things differently."

Here the stage is an area of sparce plinths and scrunched-up white paper.

It looks like the Arctic.

And there is a cold feel to proceedings as love games take place in downtown Athens.

Magic spells and ethereal duplicity provide food for thought while humour comes from a sub plot of an Elizabethan amateur dramatic group.

The Mechanicals, dressed as labourers, provide light relief.

Andrew Schofield as Peter Quince gives his usual 100 per cent and Dean Nolan as Nick Bottom has outstanding energy.

Wirral's Lewis Bray as Flute continues to shine as a name to look out for.

And musician and versatile actor Ozzie Yue roars as Snug the lion.

A real highlight is James Fortune's music score- songs played live on stage by the multi-tasking cast that are reminiscent of Everyman favourites Deaf School.

This is a no holds Bard production done the Everyman way..

This is a comedy play you will watch wearing non rose-tinted spectacles.

Globe verdict: 8/10 Bold

Running time three hours.

Until April 18. Curtain: 7.30pm.

Tickets from everymanplayhouse.com or call the box office 0151 709 4776