Midsummer: A Banquet

See it if you want a charming evening in a unique environment. The performers sing dance act and serve food in Willem de Kooning"s former studio.

Don't see it if you dislike performances with multiple points of focus. While something's happening wherever you look, the plot doesn't get lost.

See it if you want to watch a scripted relay race where actors are obligated to divert focus from the play at hand to a lot of unrelated tasks

Don't see it if you need the performances/direction/aesthetic immersion to be strong & original enough to balance out a preponderance of gimmicky diversions

Also I don’t have enough goodwill for this, but if you’re in the mood for a lighthearted local attraction that doesn’t demand a lot of concentration this fits the bill. The show ends on a strong note.

The combination of the play, fin de siecle-inspired venue, and hors d'oeuvres is different, but no one element is great. Maybe I’ve just seen too many awesome Midsummers. The acting was alright. Not in the same league as Tooting Arts Club’s Sweeney Todd (the last production I saw that really nailed immersive period design and themed food but never forgot that the musical should carry the show).... Read more Read less

See it if You want to enjoy a fun night of Shakespeare. The atmosphere is charming, the lighting is perfect, and the food was delicious.

Don't see it if You prefer traditional performance of Shakespeare, or you are expecting a banquet. It was more of a lighter fare, but very tasty.

See it if you want a wonderful bare bones production of Midsummer. I laughed so hard. This 8 person ensemble Is fully committed and utterly delightful

Don't see it if you're expecting a banquet *or* a truly immersive Third Rail production. This is site specific *not* immersive. And banquet is overselling.

Also But the food (sparse as it was) was lovely. I was so pleasantly surprised by this production and walked away completely enchanted. Well done.... Read more Read less

See it if If you like Shakespeare, or if you want to see an enjoyable show that includes a glass of wine, champagne and lite food. It was loads of fun

Don't see it if If you dont like Shakespeare or don't want to have fun. Set in a beautiful old cafe, awesome

See it if you love Midsummer Night's Dream, a good laugh & tasty food. Acting is good, staging well choreographed & blocked. Small troupe excels.

Don't see it if you dislike Shakespeare or want only serious theater in a theater setting. But eating & drinking during this play is highly appropriate.

Also Best Midsummer Night's Dream I ever saw was the 1975 production at Yale Rep, no thanks to Meryl Streep as Helena (who was actually quite bland).

Randall Duk Kim's Puck (in 10/1975) topped the performance, given the sheer genius of the deliveries and his magnificent gymnastics.

No production I've seen since has lived up to that, despite Streep's weakness back then. But this performance has a charm all its own.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to live a lovely Shakespeare version. If you want to experience the Third Rail Projects vibe.

Don't see it if you don't like Shakespeare. If you are expecting an ultra immersive play.

Also We ate bites fo food, the food wasn't a disaster. It was entertaining, the costumes were fashion. The movement of the actors in the restaurant was cool. Very good acting, with personality. Better than what I was expecting.... Read more Read less

See it if you like to nibble in between laughing; you are a Wm Shakespeare completist; you enjoy immersive staging & actors performing at table-side

Don't see it if you prefer a Public Theatre straight-up Shakespeare production; you're picky about food & serving sizes; The Bard's tragedies are your thing

Also Attended Fri., Aug. 16: uncrowded tables & all foods & 2 glasses of wine were served.

Don Adriano Armando steals the show as Bottom. However, his "donkey head" is done with a snout and artificial flowers for ears.

Act 2, after Titania and some of the Athenians have been sprinkled with fairy dust -- and fall madly in love with the wrong individual -- provoked more laughter than Act 1.

The show is well directed. The actors are capable and winsome. It's not the greatest production of "Midsummer's Night Dream" I've ever seen -- but it's a fun night out.

After reading Show Score reviews that mentioned uncomfortable crowding at tables or missing out on wine, I'd like to suggest seeing it on a less crowded Friday in August for a better experience.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re a Shakespeare fan and looking for a great new take with a great experience.

Don't see it if ...um... maybe just go see it

See it if you like atmosphere. The smells and sights and sounds of this production were great. Pyramus and Thisbe is hilarious, actors were having fun

Don't see it if lacking some sight lines will bother you; there are columns throughout the center of the area being used as a stage.

See it if you'd relish some snacks while watching a wondrously sprightly interpretation of this Shakespeare comedy. Pure pleasure awaits!

Don't see it if you can only get tickets to the late show, you live in the outer-boroughs, and you're dependent on MTA. The ride home will be brutal.

Also Memorable line: "And think no more of this night's accidents but as the fierce vexation of a dream."... Read more Read less

See it if you’re yearning for a fun, delightful & exceptionally performed familiar Shakespearean love/comedy immersive dinner experience.

Don't see it if you’re not hungry for laughs & joy.

See it if You like MDND and like seeing great actors have a great time with the material. A very unique and funny night out!

Don't see it if You don’t like when multiple actors play various roles or don’t like the idea of eating during a show.

Also As in last year’s production, while all of the actors were really good...Don Adriano Armando really stole the show as Bottom.... Read more Read less

See it if want an original take on Shakespeare and enjoy being served delicious morsels of food.

Don't see it if You like traditional Shakespeare.

See it if You like Shakespeare, laughing, eating, wine, theater that happens all around you

Don't see it if You prefer your Shakespeare conventionally staged, you don't like food

See it if Shakespeare appeals when not treated as TOO precious. Big cuts are replaced by pleasant song and dance. Terrific foods included. Unique!

Don't see it if you can't appreciate many small non meat foods rather than big entrees. You seek somber recitation or veteran actors. (Youth is king here.)

See it if You enjoy actors and actresses performing around you, you like Shakespeare and good food

Don't see it if You don't like Shakespeare

See it if It's summer and this fun, energetic dinner/theater of Shakespeare's comedy is perfect entertainment! Acting is quite good with an agile cast

Don't see it if You dislike Shakespearean plays in any form. Can't stand a tight spaced dinner theater event. Prefer traditional dining & theater uptown.

See it if You are hungry for “food for love” and a good acting by a young cast - but actual food is excellent too, and served with good timing, whimsy

Don't see it if An absolute purist and don’t want to miss a word, or never seen Midsummer before

See it if You enjoy Shakespeare and semi-immersive shows. The music, singing, acting, staging, and food were all great.

Don't see it if You don't like or can't understand Shakespeare. Don't want to eat or drink while watching a play and want to see everything on a stage.

See it if If you want to experience Shakespeare in a new fun way with food and drink and inventive stagings.

Don't see it if You like the same old same old

See it if You want to support young talent. It’s creative but amateur dinner theater.

Don't see it if You’re there for the food.

See it if you enjoy unconventional productions of Shakespeare and appreciate good food (although do no t come hungry!)

Don't see it if you want your Shakespeare by the book and in proscenium setting and your food meat-heavy.

Also I loved Third Rail Productions for Then She Fell and followed them around - but when I heard they were doing Midsummer NIght's Dream, I was skeptical. "Why do it now? The world is on fire," I thought. But after two hours of this, man, was I glad they did! It is the escapist dream at its very best. Their Shakespeare is uproariously funny, their performers delightful, and the food off-the-charts yummy. I loved the staging and the amazing job the company did transforming the bare interior of a former popup shop into a magical tavern. And wow, Puck is a black woman, and she rocks! I literally did not want to leave this beautiful space that nourished both my soul and my body. An absolutely delicious evening, on all levels.... Read more Read less

See it if you like watching a Shakespeare comedy while having a light dinner; actors performing around you; multi-sensory experiences

Don't see it if you prefer Shakespeare plays performed in a more traditional setting, or you expect a very luxurious meal

See it if Immersive, non traditionally staged, double cast, heavily integrated with song and dance production of a Shakespeare classic appeals to you.

Don't see it if You expect a traditional production of Shakespeare, and don’t want to have your view blocked, or have to turn to see the actors around you.