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Peter
Brook's A Midsummer Night's Dream 1970
Bottom's
Transformation
Bottom’s
translation into an ass was achieved simply through a pair of long
ears on an upturned cap, black button nose, and clogs (which the
fairies attached when holding him down). This helped the actor by
not having his facial expressions hid behind a mask. David Waller as
Bottom manipulated his face and body to further enhance his
transformation. Another endowment of the ass was added when one of
the fairies thrust his arm and clenched fist through Bottom’s legs
as he was carried away to Titania’s bower.
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Titania, Bottom, and fairies. |
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Wide-angle view of stage as Bottom is carried off to Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. Note use of gallery above (actors scattering “confetti”, and use of ropes) Photographer: Joe Cocks |
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(1977) Bottom sings to Titania. The contrast in size and movement between the mortal and the fairy were more marked than usual with this large genial and nervous Bottom and an elfin, otherworldly Titania. |
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(1994) Bottom and Titania. Photographer: Malcolm Davies. The pink umbrella furnished Titania with her bower, wide enough to accommodate her new lover, whose crash helmet had sprouted ass’s ears under Puck’s magic. The influence of Brook’s production can be seen in the bower and Bottom’s transformation. |
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Stage Devises
The Mechanicals
The Fairies 
Bottom's Transformation
The
Lovers
Pyramus and Thisbe
The Forest