Director John Murphy sets his rendition of Much Ado About Nothing around a film set in Fellini era Italy and like most things film related, you can’t trust the paparazzi.
Governor Leonato is swapped out for the head of StudioB films while the Prince of Arragon becomes a popular film director. Our two leads Benedick and Beatrice are famous actors who love each other but are each too hotheaded to admit it, and only once they have been tricked into disclosing their feelings do they freely admit them. Actor (lord) Claudio falls for Leonato’s actor daughter Hero and the two are soon engaged. Enter the cursed paparazzi Dona Johnna (aka Don John, the prince’s bastard brother/sister) and her flunky Borachio who, for the sake of a juicy story, stalemate the unwitting lovebirds by concocting a malicious untruth about Hero that results not only in the disintegration of her engagement but the complete annihilation of her family and future. In true Shakespearian fashion death, lies, and misunderstandings ensue.
The tale is old and familiar but Murphy does a fabulous job of bringing it into the 21st century. The set is contrasted black and white with two large StudioB sliding doors that when opened quite amusingly letter out BS (perhaps an indication of the shenanigans playing out before them). It’s not until love finally rears its head that we begin to see colour emerge on stage.
The accompanying poster art, video visuals, and subtle choreography enhance the story without distraction and add an understated element of story telling. There are about a hundred cigarettes smoked but not one of them lit.
Halle-freakin-luiah! (fake cigarette smoke sucks).
This is a fun show that is nicely paced and entertaining, but the best part is that you don’t have to be a seasoned Shakespeare reader to understand it. Part and parcel to the text itself, but most of the credit goes to actor delivery. Well done.
Click HERE for a link to tickets.
The tale is old and familiar but Murphy does a fabulous job of bringing it into the 21st century. The set is contrasted black and white with two large StudioB sliding doors that when opened quite amusingly letter out BS (perhaps an indication of the shenanigans playing out before them). It’s not until love finally rears its head that we begin to see colour emerge on stage.
The accompanying poster art, video visuals, and subtle choreography enhance the story without distraction and add an understated element of story telling. There are about a hundred cigarettes smoked but not one of them lit.
Halle-freakin-luiah! (fake cigarette smoke sucks).
This is a fun show that is nicely paced and entertaining, but the best part is that you don’t have to be a seasoned Shakespeare reader to understand it. Part and parcel to the text itself, but most of the credit goes to actor delivery. Well done.
Click HERE for a link to tickets.
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