Review ‘Much Ado’ New Milton Advertiser
Monday 1st July saw the first of four open-air performances given by the New Forest Players of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” at Sammy Miller’s Motorcycle Museum in Bashley.
The weather, for July, could have been kinder but a good first-night audience was soon warmed up by a very spirited presentation of one of the bard’s most popular comedies.
A talented cast, including one or two very promising younger players, gave us a simple and clear interpretation of the play.
At the heart of the action Petra McGuire and Tom Reah as Beatrice and Benedick gave two very accomplished performances. The rapier-like wit, highly involved thought processes and verbal dexterity needed to reveal these characters, were handled with apparent ease by McGuire and Reah. Their scenes together were a joy, keeping the audience in a constant bubble of laughter, as they sparred and argued their way through their love scenes.
The “belly-laugh” department fell into the very capable hands of Laraine Moore who gave a delightful interpretation of the “asinine” constable of the watch, Dogberry. The malapropisms in the part (written almost two centuries before Sheridan!) were expertly pointed by Moore, ensuring the maximum reaction from the audience. Her movement (including the first entrance on a tricycle) and constantly changing facial expressions were first class. She was ably assisted in all the nonsense by an excellent verges played by Julie Manion. Other members of the watch, Emily Manion and Chloe Moore worked together to make up a very good team of clowns.
The lovers, Hero and Claudio, were sensitively played by Melanie Frost and Nigel Davies. Both characters have moments of deep grief and bewilderment in the action of the play. Hero, when, at her wedding ceremony she is accused by her husband-to-be of infidelity, is wounded and confused beyond belief, and Claudio is distraught at the news of Hero’s supposed death and again when he discovers her innocence. Both young players gave moving accounts of these moments and are to be commended for their touching performances.
Hero’s father, Leonato, the old man of the play, was tenderly played by Christopher Fradd. His big emotional scene in the church when he hears of his daughter’s supposed infidelity was superbly delivered. The old man’s disbelief, puzzlement and final condemnation of Hero were very well done. Fradd’s delivery, his enunciation and vocal projection, at all times – particularly in the open air – was a first class object lesson for any would-be Shakespearean actor.
Don John, Borrachio and Conrade, the three villains of the piece, were tellingly portrayed by Roger Monck, Ryan Scates and Daniel Saunders.
Mike Beven played Don Pedro, the Noble Prince of Arragon, with the sure authority of a man in such a position and other parts, in an excellent team production, were taken by Amy Basil, Anne Child, Conway Moore and Tom Jennings.
The messenger was played by Rosie Blake who looked to be the youngest member of the cast. Her clear speech and excellent cue-taking were a pleasure to hear.
The setting could hardly have been simpler in Sammy Miller’s courtyard and Director Mel Casson’s light, but sure, touch ensured there was little to do but enjoy a very successful “Much Ado”! |
