Copy of Review in Video Librarian (June 1999)

A TASTE OF SHAKESPEARE: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM ***1/2 Eugenia Educational Foundation (dist by Bullfrog Films) PPR. Color cover. ISBN: 1-56029-778-6.
One of a series of guides in which actors tell the story and act out key scenes in order to make the characters and language of Shakespeare more accessible to students., A Taste of Shakespeare succeeds admirably, and in addition provides an abridged entertainment that can be enjoyed for its own sake. Personally, I have always found the Shakespearean comedies to be a drag, and A Midsummer Night's Dream particularly tiresome. But this production, without sacrificing the integrity of the original text, will be most appealing to a modern audience. Young, sexy actors inhabit Shakespeare's delightful characters, special effects convey the magic of the fairies presence, and atmospheric sets and lighting provide the necessary fantastic ambiance. Sophisticated and tasteful, this is an essential purchase for the classroom, but can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.
Other titles in the Taste of Shakespeare series include: Hamlet (VL-196) and The Merchant of Venice. A classy introduction. Highly recommended. Aud:H,C,P.
(J. Reed)