MUCH
ADO ABOUT NOTHING
William
Shakespeare
St
Stephen's, London
24
June - 19 July 2009
Festival
Shakespeare du Quercy 2009
4 - 12 August 2009
The
war may be over, but the battle of the sexes
has only just begun…
As
peace breaks out, dashing soldier Claudio is quick to propose
to the beautiful Hero, but their celebrations are soon threatened
by the scandalous rumours spread by the wicked Don John.
Will
confirmed singletons Beatrice and Benedick stop sniping at each
other long enough to save the day - and perhaps find love themselves,
just where they least expect it?
Antic
Disposition presents a new production of one of Shakespeare's
greatest comedies - a feast of music, romance and verbal jousting
that will delight and entertain anyone who's ever been in love.
Ham
& High:
Camden
New Journal:
“France,
1945. The war is over, Paris liberated, the Führer toppled
and the victorious returning troops of Don Pedro are looking
to conquer a new and very different (if just as formidable)
opposition – women.
“Whether in love or out, French or Anglais, this production
of Much Ado has a bit of everything.”
Time Out:
“Antic Disposition’s new production certainly isn’t
short on charm. Set in St Stephen’s, the beautifully refurbished
Victorian church, it’s an inspired choice for the summer.
“Audience members sit along the central aisle on bistro-like
tables, watching and eavesdropping as the action swirls around
us, showcasing every high arch and gothic nook and cranny of
what must be one of London’s most elegant performance spaces.”
Extra!
Extra!:
"It's
the end of the Second World War and summer is upon us. The colossal
interior of the newly restored St. Stephen's is a country estate
in South West France to be descended upon imminently by victorious
soldiers. Evening sunlight streams through the stain glass windows.
This is not period Bard on a proscenium stage, but a site specific
performance drawing upon the parallels of another time.
"The
most riotous moments come from the farcical eavesdropping scenes,
most notably where Benedick attempts to conceal himself in vain
from the match-making plotters."
The
Stage
"As
the gloaming penetrates the stained glass windows, the mood
chimes perfectly with the languid air of one of Shakespeare's
sunniest comedies, as maidens arrange flowers and men reflect
and drink wine."
British
Theatre Guide:
"Anouke
Brook is a fine Beatrice, displaying an innate ease with Elizabethan
English, and capturing the pathos of a woman who, despite her
brave face, fears love may have passed her by. Ashley Cook (Benedick)
is a perfect foil and has genuine charm.
"The
famous arbor scene, where the lovers 'accidently on purpose'
hear the secrets of their own hearts, is made fresh by the ingenious
use of a trestle table, a vase, and some tall sunflowers.
"The
cast is impressive ... Their singing and dancing, led by the
mellifluous Sophie Cosson (Margaret) is joyous.
"Jonathan
Pembroke and James Pellow manage to elicit laughs from the audience
as the (often tedious) Dogberry and Verges: no mean feat.
"Damien
Warren-Smith gives a new reading to Don John, conveying a man
of mystery and bitterness, perhaps hardened by the war experience.
"But
the real star of the show has to be the setting. How delicious
it is to discover that the derelict St Stephen's, Hampstead,
has been restored to its former gothic grandeur, with cool stone
columns and alcoves providing natural entrances and exits, in
a similar vein to the Open Air Theatre at Regent's Park. Bathed
in early summer evening sunshine we, too, are able to see things
in a different light."
