You’ve seen Shakespeare’s Bottom, now see Alan’s

You could kick off your night  in no better way than to listen in on the daft rumination of Nick Bottom, a minor character from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as portrayed by Melbourne comic actor Alan Lovett in  ‘Bottom’s Dream’.

A walk-up venue at the end of Carson Lane, The Butterfly Club is laden with collectables and kitsch. A great place for a first date, entering this landmark cabaret institution, which has nurtured the careers of Aussie talents Eddie Perfect, Tim Minchin and Sammy J, is as much a theatrical experience as seeing shows is.

Lovett, a long-time Melbourne comic and Melbourne Trivia Host, recasts this famous tale of a man who is spirited into the belief he is a donkey by fairy magic, into a delightful hour of diversion. A modern day reworking of the central themes of the play, this is a laconic tale of a character still as funny as when penned by the Bard. There are chuckles galore in this show and you don’t have to know Shakespeare to get the one-liners.

Let Lovett regale you with tales of Bottom’s life as a touring actor haunted by memories of his illustrious past. See the tradition of clowning delivered by a daft and forgetful expert, often in partial-nudity! Performed in a small, cosy, listen in on an everyman in his dotage, who slips in and out of mindfulness, as the spirits of Titania’s fairies return once more to rub his furry ears.

Recited from his dressing room pre-show, Bottom has flashbacks of fairies, Queens, and woodland rehearsals. My favourite bit was what he did with his Gladiator’s headwear, and his punning errors of speech. Use of slapstick and stand up traditions enhance the silliness and pathos of his monologues, with interruptions concerning his long-term relationship with his stage manager or mistress, Penelope…and a woman after his own heart, their notorious intimacy, or ‘intricacy’, as Bottom calls it, and chats about his writer in Stratford.

Wrap post-show with a drink at the foyer bar and revel in the decadent lounge as you look out over Collins Street. Did I mention the dark, cosy corners?

A short five-night season ending Sunday, get along for this gem of comic monologue and laugh with the cheeky fairies as you embark on a month of coming revelry at the Comedy Festival!

-Dancemindwork
Dancemindwork is a dance-trained theatre lover with a flair for the bold, and non-traditional performance platforms. On-the-street or in the box seat, she is always looking for quality works that push the envelope!

Bottom’s Dream runs 7-8pm nightly til Sunday 13 March. Buy tickets now.
This venue is not accessible.

Disclosure: The Plus Ones were invited guests of The Butterfly Club.
Photo credit: The Butterfly Club.