Much Ado About Nothing

Following a lengthy period of setbacks, including Covid related cancellations, the supportive audience packed the venue, evidently delighted to welcome back this group of talented performers to the stage for a performance of, 'Much Ado About Nothing,’ a Shakespeare Comedy.

Wombourne Players did not disappoint; the director, Sarah Aldridge, met challenges with gusto and determination that resulted in the creation of a spirited production that entertained us all.

The setting takes place at the country estate of Leonato (Richard Corser) in Regency England where he lives with his daughter, Hero, (Caroline Rabone) and her cousin, Lady Beatrice (Sarah Aldridge). The play commences with the duke Don Pedro (Graeme Lockey) approaching the house with his army of returning soldiers, uniformed in vivid red jackets, including Claudio (Ben Savage) and Benedick (Adrian Peakman). Claudio immediately falls in love with Hero and Don Pedro helps to arrange their marriage. Don Pedro’s half-brother Don John plots to ruin the wedding of Claudio and Hero by making Claudio believe Hero is unfaithful. Benedick’s friends believe he secretly loves Beatrice and that she loves him. With the help of Hero and Leonato they play a trick on them to try and bring them together. With the support of Don Pedro, Claudio publicly tells everyone at the wedding that Hero has been unfaithful. Hero faints and her family say that she has died. Beatrice and Benedick finally declare their love for each other, and Beatrice asks Benedick to fight Claudio for what he has done to her cousin. The Watch (Brigitte Brown) overhears Don John’s servant Borachio (Joe Dudley) bragging about what he did to help Don John ruin the wedding. The Watch arrests him and Hero’s innocence is declared. Leonato tells Claudio that he can make up for his actions by marrying his niece, who looks like Hero. Claudio agrees and is overjoyed when the real Hero is revealed. Beatrice and Benedick are made to admit their love for each other, and everybody celebrates a double wedding.

This was a sizeable cast to accommodate on the small stage, so the set design was suitably minimal and, whilst practical, it necessitated frequent prop changes which were sometimes distracting and noisy operations. Lighting and sound effects, including occasional incidental music in between scenes, were adequate. Costumes, dresses in distinctive colours and uniforms reflected the period with ladies' hair styled accordingly.

In an evenly balanced ensemble, there were several fine individual performances with effective characterizations. Adrian Peakman’s Benedick was lively and animated, adopting clown-like gestures to match his words; his interactions with the audience engaging. He was particularly effective in his soliloquies. He gave the impression he was looking for fun and life after the war. Sarah Aldridge presented her role as Beatrice confidently and successfully conveyed her passion, stubbornness, and cleverness.  Her facial expressions and body language were spontaneous and natural as she delivered her witty remarks to any man who underestimated her.

Portrayed by Caroline Rabone, Hero had an air of innocence about her but also a flirtatious playfulness and with Ben Savage as Claudio, both showed their dramatic skills in dealing with their subsequent disenchantment with each other. Graeme Lockey was a commanding presence as Don Pedro, carrying a sense of importance into all his scenes. Richard Corser also showed his authority as the leader of his household and father of Hero. Their comic scene with Claudio, deliberately allowing their misleading conversation to be overheard was funny. Mac Hammond was convincing and reverent as Friar Francis with his distinctive tone of voice.

Everyone gave a dynamic and animated performance; well-articulated phrases delivered with intonation and clarity. High praise too, must be given to characterisations that were equally plausible from the rest of the cast devoted to this production. This includes Joe Dudley; Karen Evans, Brigitte Brown; Jez Cartwright; Vi Hurdley, Glen Morris, Dawn Vigurs, Debbie Ward, Owen Watton and Eric Newton. All to be congratulated.

This was a delightful interpretation of this,’ lightly comic’ play and well worth seeing. Thanks to the arduous work and energy committed by all the cast and crew   and the amazing talent of the director, Sarah Aldridge who showed resilience as well as tenacity in making her vision of this performance a reality.

 

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