Written By
William Shakespeare
Where and When
6th – 9th July 2017 @ Deans Court, Wimborne
The Plot
Count Claudio falls in love with Hero, the daughter of his host. Hero’s cousin Beatrice (a confirmed spinster) and Benedict (an eternal bachelor) are each duped into believing the other is in love with them. Claudio is deceived by a malicious plot and denounces Hero as unchaste before they marry. She faints and is believed dead, but recovers to be proved innocent by a chance discovery. Benedict wins Beatrice’s love defending her cousin’s honour, and to his surprise, Claudio is reunited with Hero, who he believed dead.
Cast
The Army
- Don Pedro, a Prince, friend to Leonato – Chris Durham
- Don John, Don Pedro’s illegitimate brother – Rob Cording-Cook
- Claudio, friend of Don Pedro and Benedick – David Beddard
- Benedick, friend of Don Pedro and Claudio – Sam Moulton
- Conrade, friend of Don John – Calum Hearne
- Messenger – Richard Neal
The Family at Deans Court
- Leonato, Baronet of Deans Court, friend of Don Pedro – Anthony Wyld
- Antonia, Leonato’s sister – Judt Garrett
- Balthasar, son to Antonia, also in Don Pedro’s battalion – Colin Pile
- Hero, daughter to Leonato – Beanie Wyld
- Beatrice, niece to Leonato and Antonia – Beverley Beck
The Servants at Deans Court
- Borachio, a footman – John Sivewright
- Margaret, a lady’s maid – Michelle Barter
- Ursula, a lady’s maid – Ann McColgan-Clark
The Town’s Folk
- Friar Francis, the local vicar – Gary Paine
- Sexton, the local magistrate – Richard Neal
- Dogberry, a village constable – David Pile
- Verges, Dogberry’s friend and assistant – Jenny Hughes
- Jack Feeble, a member of The Watch – Simon Jackson
- Hugh Oatcake, a member of The Watch – Rob Cording-Cook
- George Seacole, a member of The Watch – Colin Pile
Creative Team
- Director – Tracey Nicholls
- Set Designer – Chris Durham
Gallery
Reviews
Marilyn Barber – Stour and Avon Magazine
What is there not to like? One of Shakespeare’s lightest and easy to follow plays, the stunning setting of Deans Court and a stellar cast.
This adaptation, set in 1919, works really well, making the production a little more contemporary.
With a large cast of 18 actors, it doesn’t seem fair to highlight the performances of some and not anothers, as quite simply there are no weak links. However, those that went above the very high bar do deserve a mention.
Beverley Beck is no stranger to Shakespeare – and it shows as she is perfect as the strong willed Beatrice, adding just the right amount of humour. Beanie Wyld is perfectly sweet as Hero, whilst Sam Moulton as Benedick and David Beddard as Claudio play to their strengths as the two suitors. There are authoritative performances from Chris Durham as Don Pedro and Anthony Wyld as Leonato, with John Sivewright getting just the right measure of duplicity as the footman Borachio.
There are two powerful cameo performances. Jenny Hughes never disappoints with her quirky characterisations and she is very funny as the policewoman with David Pile complementing her as the village constable.
Sound can sometimes be lost in the open air – but not with this production as the system works really well. Director Tracey Nicholls should be very, very proud of herself!
Don’t be put off if you’re a stranger to Shakespeare, or have always thought it ‘wasn’t for you’ as the programme carries a simple synopsis of the story. The weather is set to be good for the coming days, so do treat yourself to a ticket.
Philip Atlay – Scene One
It is difficult to think of a more enjoyable theatrical experience than Wimborne Drama Productions’ open-air Much Ado About Nothing in the delightful grounds of the Deans Court Estate. It is Shakespeare’s most frequently performed comedy, although there are darker undertones to a plot that is populated by wonderful characters who are as meaningful today as when the play was written in 1599.
Director Tracey Nichols has chosen to emulate the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 2014 production by setting the play in 1919, when a group of soldiers home from the Great War arrive at the home of Baronet (of Deans Court says the programme in a tribute to the venue) Leonato. This setting works well and is enhanced by brief moments of Noel Coward singing and of the leading characters dancing the Charleston. As a result, the production has great vitality throughout.
Every character is excellently portrayed. Don Pedro (Chris Durham) is magnificently princely with his pipe in hand for much of the time, while his illegitimate brother, Don John (Rob Cording-Cook), is suitably sinister. Claudio (David Beddard) is sincerely romantic. Leonato (Anthony Wyld) displays a relaxed aristocracy, as do the other members of his family, while daughter, Hero (Beanie Wyld) is a father’s delight. Benedick (Sam Moulton) and Beatrice (Beverley Beck), whose relationship begins with mutual misogamy, end the action dancing together and about to marry; their relationship is very well portrayed at each stage of its development. The facial expressions of maids Margaret (Michelle Barter) and Ursula (Ann McColgan-Clark), who have a significant role in encouraging the relationship between Benedick and Beatrice, are most entertaining. Constable Dogberry (David Pile) and his assistant, Verges (Jenny Hughes), delight the audience with their antics while apprehending villains Conrade (Calum Hearne) and Borachio (John Sivewright).
The darker undertones come when Claudio rejects Hero at the altar as they are about to be married, as the result of a plot instigated by the jealous machinations of Don John. This scene has the audience wholly moved by the reactions of Leonato and his daughter, Hero. The comedy is at its height, however, during the scenes in which Benedick hides in the room in which Leonato, Don Pedro and Claudio describe the love that Beatrice has for him in the knowledge that he is listening and with the aim of promoting a relationship between them. Similarly, Beatrice is hiding in the room while Hero and Ursula describe the love that Benedick has for her with the same intent. These scenes are a comedic delight as Benedick hides under a table and then with his head in a standard lamp, while poor Beatrice is watered as she hides behind a potted plant.
The director and her talented, energetic cast have created a production that has verve and vivacity throughout and is endowed with a modern atmosphere, while the creative team ensure that each scene is set up on the simple stage with imperceptible efficiency. A good sound system means that every word of dialogue is heard.
This is a Wimborne Drama production not to be missed. There are performances on 7 and 8 July at 7.00 and on 9 July at 5.00. Remember to take your own chairs.