Approaching The Mechanicals

We are first introduced to the "Mechanicals" at the opening of Act one Scene Two. They are a group of working men who are meeting together to rehearse the play they wish to perform before Theseus and Hippolyta in honour of their wedding. The play will tell the story of the unfortunate lovers Pyramus and Thisbe. The parts are chosen and they agree to meet at night in the wood.

The fact that the mechanicals are working men is vital in understanding how to play their characters. The mechanicals' names each reflect their trade: for example "Bottom": the base a weaver's thread is wound upon: is clearly a weaver. These tradesmen are not educated nor necessarily respectable gentlemen. In this scene they should be performed to show little regard for each other and in both their physical and vocal performances show the audience that this is inherently part of their characters. Shakespeare's text greatly helps to portray the mechanicals as unruly, impolite characters, as throughout the scene they are interrupting each other and arguing amongst themselves.

The Mechanicals should be understood as both lazy characters but also energetic and enthusiastic when it comes to getting what they want. Quince is an authoritative

commanding character and this should be portrayed by his physical performance being broad and large, overshadowing the other characters. Quince could be played as a man who walks with chest out and broad shoulders and have a stiff rigid walk. This should make his character stand out as he strides around the set ordering and organising the other Mechanicals, who in general are lounging and lazing about. All the Mechanicals should speak not with an overly pronounced clear dialect but instead should convey a gruffness and harshness in their vocal performances. Hints of this vocal performance are given in Shakespeare's text as Bottom is unable to correctly pronounce Thisbe and instead