Much Ado About Nothing
by William Shakespeare
Cast members:
Lou Webb
Matthew Brown
Hayley Considine
James Durrant
Nigel Harris
Eddie Elks
Luke Damon
Rebecca Mahon
Sarah Henson
Rachael Pennell
Orde Browne
REVIEWS
Bard updated gets my vote
Lichfield Post
Thursday June 14th 2007- Phil Preece
Its title’s one of the greatest throw-away lines in history, the play’s already lasted four hundred years, and now we know why.
In Kim Gillespie’s sparky production (think Hedda Gabler, The Beaux’ Stratagem) Much Ado is revealed as simply the lightest of happy comedies with a bracing blast of darkness at its heart.
Set with a certain piquancy in the elegance between the wars it’s an updating that proves human nature changes not one jot.
Matthew Brown as Benedict is young, fuzzily bombastic and a perfect fool in love. Lou Webb as Beatrice is young, independent and feistily refusing to take on the blind bargain of the first fool who asks her. Like Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet they must each earn the other’s esteem before they can even consider becoming partners in life and love. The action’s chicly interspersed with the torch songs of the era in a smoky night club style that perfectly evokes the era.
The Garrick now seems to be boasting a repertoire many highly established theatres would envy and all on our own doorstep. It’s got my vote, but don’t take my word for it, go along and see it for yourselves. You won’t be disappointed.
Birmingham Mail
Thursday June 14 2007-Roger Clarke
I am always wary of modern dress Shakespeare, but this one works from the moment it opens with its Call Me Madam musical entrance in palm court orchestra night club setting.
Matthew Brown is excellent as Benedick while Lou Webb gives us a feisty Beatrice and James Durrant brings real feeling to Claudio as love-struck becomes betrayed when Hayley Cosidine’s Hero is revealed as a bit of trollop – or is she…
Purists might find a few liberties have been taken with the original script and Shakespeare probably never envisaged Dogberry in wellies dancing the tango, but the hard working, excellent cast of 12 – with Michael Blore as Don John having to double as the pianist – produce a memorable and entertaining evening.
4 stars
