Much Ado About Nothing

What a very enjoyable evening we had watching Wigan Little Theatre’s production of William Shakespeare’s Comedy “Much Ado About Nothing”. The play has been brought forward in time, to the end of the First World War in the year1918 and is set in the house and gardens of Leonato, Governor of Messina. Don Pedro the Prince of Aragon is visiting with his soldiers Benedict and Claudio, he is also accompanied by his brother Don John and his followers Borachio and Conrad. The story revolves around two sets of lovers, Benedick, an arrogant confirmed bachelor, and Beatrice Leonato’s confident clever niece who is Benedick’s verbal sparring partner, the other couple is Leonato’s daughter Hero who is to be married to Claudio. The plot looks at how gossip, rumor, and listening to other people’s conversations can affect relationships. Hero and Claudio decide that Benedick and Beatrice should be married as well so they trick Benedick and Beatrice into confessing their love for each other. But then Claudio is tricked by Don Jon who accuses Hero of unfaithfulness because he wants to stop the wedding with the result that Claudio rejects Hero at the altar. At the end, Benedick and Beatrice join forces to put things right and it all turns out to be as the play title says, "Much Ado About Nothing."

The play was directed by Caroline McCann who had at her disposal a group of very talented actors who produced some wonderful characters and brilliant comedy moments. Martin Green gave a superb performance as Benedick, his comic timing was spot-on, and he had a good connection with the audience. Martin was complemented very well by Lesley Kellett as an outstanding self-assured Beatrice, their relationship was very believable and both actors had a good understanding of Shakespeareian prose and phasing. The scenes when they were hiding but trying to listen to other people’s conversations were very funny and well choreographed. Stu Crompton as Claudio and Beth Garner as Hero also worked very well together producing very good performances while Peter Hall was strong in his role as Don Pedro, as was Andrew Lomax as Leonato. Richard Holmes had a suitably wicked clandestine manner as Don John while Mark Fenton as Barachio and Neil Brogan as Conrad made two very good conspirators and supporters of Don John. Louise Steggals as the entertainer Balthasar had a lovely voice and produced some enjoyable singing. Bill Collins as Dogberry and Ellen Fitton as Verges were very funny characters who worked well together making a very entertaining comedy double act who got a good response from the audience, and the roles of Margaret, Hero’s maid -Ayesha Morris and Gill Jones as Ursula were also nicely played. I would like to have named everyone in the cast as there were also interesting characters and good performances from the actors in the smaller supporting and cameo roles, however I don’t want to miss anyone out. The pace of the play was just right, and diction was clear with good projection meaning the plot could be followed easily by the audience which is very important in a Shakespeare play. Choreography by Ellen Fitten was well thought out and suitable for the production, it was performed with enthusiasm by the cast although I think the setting may have been a little early for the Charleston

The scenery was very well designed and well built, enabling smooth transition between scenes and together with appropriate props, innovative technical input, that included suitable music and prerecorded film, was very effective, and along with well thought out and applicable costumes, enhanced the feel and success of the play, well done to all the backstage and technical crew for an excellent job.

Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this outstanding production to the stage, which was throughly enjoyed by the audience. Thank you for inviting us we had a very enjoyable evening, we look forward to seeing you for your next production.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.