Felicity’s Score: 2.5/5 Weddings
Benedick and Beatrice seem to be able to do naught in each others’ presence bar pick at the other, which, despite their age, provides the charming highlight of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing; a childish refusal to admit they are well and truly in love. In what plays out amongst other plot points (Hero and Claudio’s impending marriage, and Don John’s intent on ruining it), Beatrice and Benedick must, therefore, be tricked into admitting their mutual affection. Bell Shakespeare have aimed high with their 2019 national touring show…but struggle to find a good balance between rom and com.
Bright colours and a playful rendition of the story allow for a naive enjoyment for those not too concerned with the dramatic integrity of Shakespeare’s tale. I can’t help but think that some refinement of characterisation would allow for those meant stand out for clownery have their moment. Benedick (Duncan Ragg) in this production lays on the goof, causing giggles galore from the audience – it’s hard not to enjoy Ragg’s adept physicality and comedy… but this approach then dampens the effect of Dogberry (Mandy Bishop) when it should be the opposite.
James Evans has had fun and let the actors play…I really like the idea of letting everyone have at it. But in execution, it dampens a lot of the drama, I find myself truly uncaring about reveals or tragedy. In fact, I find myself actively wishing against the wishes of Claudio (Will McDonald), even before he jumps the gun and slut shames Hero (Vivienne Awosoga) in front of all her friends and family. Awosoga does give us a breath of fresh air with her mastery of her (few lines of) text in that moment, having to encapsulate rage and heartbreak in the briefest of moments. A saving grace is the work between Beatrice (Zindzi Okenyo) and Benedick (Duncan Ragg) when they are given direction for more quiet and vulnerable moments. It is there where two talented performers give us the butterflies and yearning inherent in the script.
Pip Runicman’s costumes feel appeasingly European holiday abroad, but I do have to double check whether Kmart sponsored the set…surprisingly not. Odd melodic choices in times of tragedy and the completion of the show left me a little confused more than anything.
I wanted so desperately to love this show but I guess we’ll all hold out for Hamlet in 2020.
Felicity Anderson, Theatre Now
Photo credit: Clare Hawley
22 Oct – 24 Nov 2019
Venue: SOH: Playhouse Theatre
Theatre Company: William Shakespeare
Duration: Aprox 2 Hours 30 min (including one interval)
Ticket Prices:
$55 – $85
plus booking fee
Thu – Sat 7:30pm
Tue – Wed 6:30pm
Matinees: Sat 2pm/Sun 4pm
By William Shakespeare
Claudio and Hero are deeply in love. Beatrice and Benedick would rather swap sassy insults than sweet nothings.
Claudio however is quickly consumed by envy and his idyllic world threatens to come tumbling down as he humiliates Hero. Beatrice and Benedick must join forces to defend true love – even if they can’t recognise it in themselves.
But will truth and honesty win the day, and does love really conquer all?
Directed by Bell Shakespeare’s Associate Director, James Evans (Julius Caesar) and starring Zindzi Okenyo (Antony and Cleopatra, MTC’s An Ideal Husband) as Beatrice, this Much Ado About Nothing will be a powerful exploration of the struggle for identity and self-knowledge in a male-dominated world. The pursuit of love is framed in a social context that enhances the darker themes in this timeless comic gem.
Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s contemporary comedies where romance is thwarted by dastardly plots, misinformation, false accusations, broken promises, and bumbling cops. Or is it?
Cast
Zindzi Okenyo
Vivienne Awosoga
Danny Ball
Marissa Bennett
Mandy Bishop
Will McDonald
Suzanne Pereira
Duncan Ragg
Paul Reichstein
David Whitney
Creatives
Director James Evans
Designer Pip Runciman
Lighting Designer Niklas Pajanti
Composer & Sound Designer Andrée Greenwell
Movement & Fight Director Nigel Poulton
Voice & Text Coach Jess Chambers
