Much Ado About Nothing 1995

Performed by the LSC at Fulbeck Hall, Grantham 1st July 1995

Bishop's Old Palace, Lincoln 18th - 29th July 1995

Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire 11th - 12th August 1995

Director: Liz Lucas

Assistant Director: Neil Perkins

Music: Liz Lucas and Nikki-Kate Heyes

Cast

Leonato: Neil Perkins

Beatrice: Jo Clark

Hero: Jo Smith

Don Pedro: Dave Clayton

Benedick: Simon Clark

Claudio: Simon Hollingworth

Antonio: Richard Jones

Don John: Paul Corbett

Borrachio: John Armitage

Don John: Rob Smith

Margaret: Karen Crow (nee Harrison)

Ursula: Aggi Gunstone

Dogberry: Colin Brimblecombe

Verges: Richard Jones

First Watch: Karen Crow

Second Watch: Liz Lucas

Friar Francis: John Armitage

The Sexton: Paul Corbett

Messenger: Aggi Gunstone

Don Pedro, Prince of Arragon, returns successfully from war to the idyllic province of Messina with his brother, Don John, and his companions, Benedick and Claudio. The Governor of Messina, Leonato, welcomes them and introduces his daughter, Hero, with whom Claudio falls instantly in love. Benedick and the Governor's niece, Beatrice, are old flames who cross swords in an ongoing battle of wits and protest their loathing of each other. Don Pedro agrees to woo Hero on Claudio's behalf but the prince's villainous brother, Don John, contrives to foil the proposed marriage by showing Hero to be an adulteress! Claudio and the Prince witness Borachio and Margaret making love and are persuaded by Don John that this is indeed Hero. Claudio denounces her at the wedding ceremony and Hero collapses. Claudio leaves believing her to be dead. Beatrice and Benedick are tricked into revealing their love to each other and Beatrice tests this love by asking Benedick to kill Claudio to avenge her cousin's dishonour. Tragedy is averted by the arrest of the plotters by the gentlemen of the watch, headed by the ludicrous Dogberry, and all ends happily with the double marriage of Claudio to Hero and Beatrice to Benedick.

"One of the worst fears of an actor is being stuck on stage not knowing what to say or do. This nightmare was realised by Paul Corbett (the Sexton) in 'Much Ado'. Paul had been directed to sit and wait until the end of a scene, until he was 'collected' by myself, and led off stage. Unfortunately, one night, I was in such a rush to change my costume for the next scene, that I completely forgot about Paul, who sat there waiting anxiously for what must have seemed like an age. Eventually he had to shuffle off of his own accord, and he was not best pleased with me, but it was nothing compared to what I was feeling as I stood in the wings in my underpants, realising that I'd left Paul behind!"

Richard Jones, 'Antonio', 'Verges'.

"full of energy from beginning to end...delighted the audience"

Lincoln Target, 20th July 1995