Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing

The Play is set in Messina, Italy, and revolves around two romantic pairings that emerge when a group of soldiers, returning from war, stop at Messina to be welcomed by the Governor, Leonata. Amidst the spirits of a post-war house party love antics ensue. War hero Claudio falls in love with Leonata’s daughter Hero and their marriage is agreed upon. While marriage preparations ensue, Don Pedro Prince of Aragon schemes up a plan to make old flames and longtime bantering partners, Benedick and Beatrice, fall in love. Meanwhile, Don John, the Prince’s bastard brother, contrives a more malicious plot to make Claudio believe his betrothed is unfaithful.

The small stage was surrounded by flats draped with white muslin with French Doors at the back. Bunting, with attached paper lanterns, was strewn across the front of the stage with four lots of helium balloons placed at intervals around the stage, at floor level - why balloons I asked myself? The reason, and it was indeed ingenious, was because they became ‘trees’ and were used to great effect especially by Beatrice, as she hid behind them, when she was eavesdropping. The stage, as already mentioned, is very small and the play has many different scene locations so as well as utilising the floor space in front of it, the centre aisle became exits and entrances and a space between the rows of seats became a hiding and a further movement space. An effective lighting plot adding to the ambience.

There are two parallel love stories, a more light-hearted one involving Benedick and Beatrice, who have each spent time avoiding marriage, and how they are tricked by their friends into admitting that they do love one another and the other more serious one concerning Claudio and Hero. Bendedick was brilliantly played by Chris Gale. He totally captured the very essence of the character which allowed him to show his superb comedic acting skills from the timing of witty retorts and the battle of wits with Beatrice, to the most wonderful animated gestures and physical high jinks and to his wonderful facial expressions which were particularly evident in his many passionate speeches. It was a great performance as was that from Alicia Bloundele as Beatrice. She portrayed the spirited feistiness of the character to perfection often bettering Benedick with her acerbic retorts which were so well delivered and her frantic antics behind the ‘trees’ were just so funny. There was a lovely chemistry between them even from the outset, when all they did was bicker and throw insults, to their final acceptance of their love for each other. Harry Diggle excelled as Claudio. At first he presented as a strong upright young man who so quickly falls in love with Hero but he totally and quite angrily over reacts when he is informed of Hero’s unfaithfulness. He shows himself to be rather unpleasant as he waits to jilt Hero at the ‘Altar’ and then, when he believes she is dead, and to show remorse, readily agrees to marry her cousin and then, jumps for joy when it turns out to be Hero. Harry so convincingly delivered all of these differing emotions. Zoe Hoyle was delightful as Hero the lovely, gentle, quite naive daughter of Leonata. She falls in love with Claudio but becomes distraught when he jilts her at their wedding and Don John announces that it is indeed all true, and she has been unfaithful. Even her own mother berates her. But such a tender scene follows when she denies it to Antonio and it is agreed to announce that she has died. Leonata, the Governor of Messina, in whose house most of the action takes place, is where she resides with her daughter Hero, her niece Beatrice and her brother Antonio. Liz McKenzie was excellent as Leonata. She was so elegant and sophisticated, definitely the one in charge. Her angry outburst towards her daughter, when she thought she had been unfaithful, was so scathingly unleashed, but so easily were the tables turned to avenge Claudio’s actions, when the truth did emerge. Chris Pawley was splendid as Antonio, Leonata’s brother and Priest. Don Pedro was impressively played by Tim Diggle. He commanded the stage but was also most friendly towards the soldiers who have been fighting under him and he so enjoyed the plotting and conniving to get Benedick and Beatrice to admit their love for one another. Quite at the other end of the spectrum of human nature was that of his half-brother, Don John, and Huw Randall brought out his sullen and sombre traits with such fervent aggression whilst doing his best to bring about the break-up of Hero and Claudio. What a terrific performance came from Martin Devaney as Dogberry, the constable. The character is so full of good intentions and he takes his job so seriously but somehow, it becomes most hilariously funny and Martin managed to eke out every inch of comedic humour from the role. Together with Verges, his second-in-command, who was so well played by Sonja Longdon, they proved to be the perfect comic double act. Excellent support came from Rachel Callen as Margaret, from Josh Allerton as Borachio, from Rose Robinson as Conrade, from Susan Devaney as Ursula and from Beatrice Ottley as Balthasar. The Musicians were Sue Culpitt - Fiddle, John Fermer - Fiddle and Vocals, Keith Kendrick - Anglo/German concertina and Vocals, Sylvia Needham - McCann duet concertina and Vocals, Kathy Padley - Bass guitar and Celia Pendlebury - Northumbrian small pipes. They playing and singing was absolutely brilliant, a definite highlight and added an extra dimension to the whole play. 

All the costumes, including some fabulous masks, were just stunning none more so than those of Leonata’s household which were all colour coordinated in shades of lilac and mauve with that of Antonio’s priest robe, being purple. (The ‘tree balloons’ were also of these shades ). Don Pedro’s Men were most resplendently attired in full Military uniforms, complete with swords. Credit indeed must go to Director Suzanne Alford, to Musical Director Kathy Padley to all the Back Stage Crew and most definitely to the extremely talented cast. It was lovely to see the play performed in a ‘traditional’ way and I appreciate all the hard work that has ensued to produce such an entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable production. Also, many thanks for the warm welcome and hospitality that I received from David, Fran and James.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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