"Much Ado About Nothing" by William Shakespeare.
For those who are not familiar with this story, or have never seen this play before, here's a quick run through of the plot.....
Count Claudio falls in love with Hero, the daughter of his host. Hero's cousin Beatrice (a confirmed spinster) and Benedict (an eternal bachelor) are each duped into believing the other is in love with them. Claudio is deceived by a malicious plot and denounces Hero as unchaste before they marry. She faints and is believed dead, but recovers to be proved innocent by a chance discovery. Benedict wins Beatrice’s love defending her cousin’s honour, and to his surprise, Claudio is reunited with Hero, who he believed to be dead.
Some people may not understand everything that is said, but remember, these lines were written some 400 years ago. You don't have to understand every thing that is said, and the more Shakespeare you see, the more you "get it". The comedy a lot of the time is visual and physical but why miss out on the beauty of the language.
George Lamb, the Director, has given the play a completely modern makeover, while still retaining all of the comedy and beauty of the story, with a soundtrack full of camp classics; Kylie, Madonna, Cher, Abba, Lady Gaga all play a part in the musical journey of Claudio and Hero et al. In parts the celebrations were more akin to an 18 - 30's holiday (not that I know what they were like, but I can imagine) than a Shakespearian comedy.
That's the wonderful thing about Shakespeare, and I've said it many times, a good Director can set a Shakespearian story in any decade (I've even seen Sci-Fi versions of his plays) and produce excellent shows and still keep the story faithful. This is one such production. It's fun and the story even benefits from the added updates, but then I expected nothing less from George, because I've had the pleasure of seeing George's work as both actor and Director. This is George's directorial debut for The Theatre Royal Players.
This is an ensemble cast, and every actor stood shoulder to shoulder with the next cast member strength wise, so for those who aren't too sure about who the characters are, I'll introduce you to them....
Beatrice, Leonato's witty, independent niece. She engages in a "merry war" of words with Benedick and fiercely defends her cousin Hero, is played by Hatty Hunt-Blow.
Benedick, a Lord and soldier from Padua. He vows he will never marry, but is tricked into falling deeply in love with Beatrice. Benedick is played by George Davis.
Claudio is a young, heroic Florentine soldier. He falls in love with Hero, but is easily deceived into doubting her virtue. Claudio is played by Jess McWhirter.
Hero is played by Emily Giles. Hero is Leonato's gentle, obedient daughter. She is wrongfully accused of infidelity by Don John.
Leonato is played by Gurmej Virk. Leonato is the respected Governor of Messina and father to Hero.
Don Pedro is played by Tom Morley. Pedro is the noble Prince of Aragon. He acts as a matchmaking friend and general leader. Love the wig as well.
Don John is Don Pedro's bitter, villainous half-brother. He engineers the malicious plot to ruin Claudio and Hero's wedding and is played by Paula Heeley.
Conrade is played by Collette Wong and Borachio is played by Rachel Elphick, both scheming followers and accomplices of Don John.
Margaret is played by Elsa Kitching. Margaret is unwittingly used in Don John's plot. She is Hero's loyal gentlewomen and attendant.
Dogberry is the absurd and wonderfully over the top Chief Constable of the night watch, played brilliantly by Beth Yearsley. We also get to hear those powerful singing tones at the end with a Lady Gaga classic.
Verges, Dogberry's dim-witted partner on the watch, or should that be S.W,A.Tch, is played by Ross Levy. Good to see Ross back on stage again.
Friar Frances is played by Chris Stevenson. He is the Priest who proposes the plan to fake Hero's death to clear her name.
Friar Frannie/Sexton is played by Róisín Kelly. The Sexton judges the trial of Borachio’s wrongdoing, when Dogberry captures him and brings him to trial.
Balthasar is an attendant and musician played by George Lamb, who also gets to show off his singing skills as well as his musicianship.
Seacole, a member of the City Watch, is played by Karen Peckover.
First Watchman is played by Kathy Bear and the Second Watchman is played by Rob Chrich. I don't need to expand on their job description.
Production Co-ordinator is Rebecca Morris.
Technical and Front Of House are thanks to the Theatre Royal and Concert Hall Crew.
I never make any secret about my love of Shakespeare; I'm nowhere near being an expert by a long shot, but I do love a Shakespearian production, and especially when the play is in the hands of people who love what they do and understand the Bard so as to deliver an entertaining production, such as they did this evening.
The seating upstairs in the foyer of the Royal Concert Hall goes quite a way back from the raised performing area, but as this area is not raked, make sure that you get there early to get a seat close to the front, just in case you get someone taller than you, as you may need to shift from side to side to get the full view of the action from further back. Also try not to get near an open window as you will get noise bleed from the street outside.
That aside, this production is an ideal introduction to Shakespeare for younger people or for anyone who still thinks that Shakespeare is a bit stuffy or highbrow.
There's another chance to see this vibrant production next Monday, 28 September and at the price of £5 for a prebooked ticket and £7 for a ticket bought on the night, you really can't go wrong.
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