Much Ado About Nothing
Jul. 25th, 2018 09:00 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smallhobbitAs soon as Antic Disposition announced their new tour I was checking out the list of destinations. So I was delighted to see they were coming to Gloucester Cathedral again. I'm not a great fan of Shakespeare's comedies, preferring the histories, but Much Ado is one I don't mind seeing.
They set the play in a small village in France shortly after the end of WWII. They will actually be performing in France for two weeks at the beginning of August. And once again three members of the cast were French or Belgian. Because the play was performed in the quire there were very few props - just a couple of tables and chairs for the little café, but the cast conveyed the action without the need for much.
I enjoyed the play, although it lacked the power of Henry V and Richard III. However, when Beatrice spoke about the injustice of Hero being accused and unable to defend herself because her accusers are honourable men, there was a very clear sense of the inbalance of power (which still continues). And it was at that point I could see why Beatrice and Benedick could be drawn to each other.
The production incorporated some of the humour of Jacques Tati, which worked well to start with, but became slightly grating as it continued throughout - it didn't further the plot but seemed to be used to allow the other actors time to change. But I did get to hold one end of the bunting for one of the comic characters which was fun.
A number of the actors played musical instruments, so there was music and dancing which was fun. An enjoyable evening, if not one an especially stand out performance.
They set the play in a small village in France shortly after the end of WWII. They will actually be performing in France for two weeks at the beginning of August. And once again three members of the cast were French or Belgian. Because the play was performed in the quire there were very few props - just a couple of tables and chairs for the little café, but the cast conveyed the action without the need for much.
I enjoyed the play, although it lacked the power of Henry V and Richard III. However, when Beatrice spoke about the injustice of Hero being accused and unable to defend herself because her accusers are honourable men, there was a very clear sense of the inbalance of power (which still continues). And it was at that point I could see why Beatrice and Benedick could be drawn to each other.
The production incorporated some of the humour of Jacques Tati, which worked well to start with, but became slightly grating as it continued throughout - it didn't further the plot but seemed to be used to allow the other actors time to change. But I did get to hold one end of the bunting for one of the comic characters which was fun.
A number of the actors played musical instruments, so there was music and dancing which was fun. An enjoyable evening, if not one an especially stand out performance.
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