Great night out: For those looking to explore the Off-West End scene.

Recommend to friends? Yes, especially those of the theatrical variety.

Best bit: Bottom and the Mechanicals' rendition of Pyramus and Thisbe - ridiculous, hilarious, OTT, yet perfect.

Morning after effect: A sudden urge to listen to Dr. John's back catalogue.

Upon first entering Above The Arts, I was taken aback by the sheer intimacy of the venue. It was a small space seating 60 fellow theatregoers, yet throughout the evening it slowly dawned on me that this was one of the the best ways to experience Shakespeare. With no proscenium arch or balcony dividing actors and audience, Linnie Reedman's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in New Orleans swallowed the audience whole and made them complicit in the enthralling revelry and farcical confusion of the bard's deliriously funny play.

The heat of the bayous seemed palpable (perhaps due to the natural warmth of the venue or a cleverly devised trick) and with drink and fan in many an audience member's hand, the play set off to a rousing start with a black magic-infused rendition of Dr. John's Marie Laveau, performed by the cast members themselves. The ensuing musical interludes, serving to punctuate scenes with the spice of New Orleans jazz, lent an air of burlesque to the evening, while the actor playing the dual role of musician was also reminiscent of the folksy feel of Once The Musical.

As the four young lovers passionately gave chase, quarrelled and became entangled in the affairs of Oberon, Titania and the roguish Puck, as the flamboyant Bottom donned Donkey's ears and the Mechanicals deftly amped up the humour, I found it difficult to suppress my smile. The production is utterly charming. Budding new talent and impeccable southern accents abound - remember these faces, they'll surely wind up on bigger West End stages.

It seems the psychedelia, magic and mischief of A Midsummer Night's Dream was tailor-made for the Voodoo-soaked landscapes of Louisiana.

By Teia Fregona