Much Ado About Nothing

This is my second Much Ado in as many weeks, I may set myself a task to see how many productions of this play I can see over the next 12 months, culminating with my own production next summer – but more of that nearer the time. OUDS transport us to 1950’s Messina, the play sits nicely in this period and many of the themes are supported well by this world of Mafia led patriarchy and their deep sense of family honour. The costuming was great and the setting was simple with three distinct areas on the stage representing the garden, a dining area and Hero’s bedroom. Sometimes, however these areas became muddled with conversations occurring between characters apparently in the bedroom and characters apparently in the dining area and Hero’s dressing table became quite the go to place.

There were some nice performances to see here, I really enjoyed William Hatcher’s Leonato and Jordan Waller gave a very confident performance as a swaggering Benedick, although he had a tendency to over play some of the comedy. The gulling of Benedick was really successful – a very funny and well played scene by all involved.

Overall this production worked well, but by tightening the gaps between scenes the pace would improve and the play would benefit from this boost of energy.

Ali