posted 2nd September 2024
Much Ado About Nothing 27 - 30 November 2018
The themes Shakespeare explores in this play are timeless ones. Therefore this production is not set in any specific historical period, but rather in a fictional period – traditional Sicily, once upon a time. However this no fairy tale. This is an all too familiar patriarchal society in which double-standards concerning male and female behaviour, especially sexual behaviour, are commonplace; a traditional world where the male head of the family, the patriarch, told the women what they could do and who they must marry, for the good of the family– a message not all the women were willing to accept. It is also a story of female solidarity and sisterhood and, as it unfolds, all the time, there is A Woman Watching.
Cast and Crew
The Cast
THE FAMILY
Leonato, a wealthy landowner in Messina Howard Eilbeck
Antonia, his sister and dowager of the family Maggie Butt
Hero, his unmarried daughter and heiress Joana Crisostomo
Beatrice, his niece, a spinster Becky Davies
Margaret, a gentlewoman and companion Chris Eilbeck
Ursula, a gentlewoman and companion Jacquie Howatson
THE VISITORS
Don Pedro, a man of honour Alan Caig
Claudio, his lieutenant Ian Potts
Benedick, his follower, a confirmed bachelor Mike Edwards
Balthasar, his follower and messenger Nigel Mason
Dona Joan, the bastard sister of Don Pedro Clare Philbrock
Conrade, an old follower of Dona Joan John Bradley
Borachio, a new follower of Dona Joan Sam King
THE CHURCH
Father Francis, the Parish Priest of Messina Bill Pattinson
The Sexton and Parish Clerk Tom Epton
THE WATCH
Dogberry, the town constable Bob Drury
Verges, his deputy David Batty
Seacoal, a member of the watch Keith Palmer
Oatcake, a member of the watch Cass Thorne
Nightingale, a member of the watch Lynn Leger
THE WOMAN WATCHING Suzanne Dunstan
Other parts played by members of the Cast and Crew
The Crew
Director Rob Hole
Stage Manager Janine Warre
Production Manager & Casting Consultant Maggie Butt
Lighting & Sound Peter Tapp
Props Janine Warre
Wardrobe Jill Whitehouse
Design: Set & Publicity Phil Keen
Special Constructions Maurice Webb
Front of House Team led by Rosie Munns
Photography Godfrey Whitehouse & Angela Wallwork
The Live Music
‘Come Away Death’ from Twelfth Night in a setting by Roger Quilter
‘Fear No More the Heat of the Sun’ from Cymbeline set by Gerald Finzi
‘Sigh No More Ladies’ from Much Ado About Nothing in a new setting especially composed for this production by Chris Hoban
Sung by David Batty, Nigel Mason, Clare Philbrock & Kate Wannell
Oboe Julia Hill and Accordion Chris Hoban, recorded by Ron Murray
Singing Coach Mary Pickard : Live Music co-ordinated by David Batty
