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—Jennifer Lines and John Murphy as Beatrice & Benedick in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, at Bard on the Beach 2010. Photo: David Cooper MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING” OPENS 2010 BARD SEASON Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival opens its 21st season with the witty romance Much Ado About Nothing. It runs Tuesdays through Sundays in the 520-seat open-ended Mainstage tent in Vanier Park from June 3 to September 25. Bard Artistic Associate Dean Paul Gibson returns to direct following last year’s riveting staging of Othello. Romance and matchmaking abound when the men return victorious from war. While friends devise merry plots to trick the fiercely independent Beatrice and Benedick into admitting their love for each other, Hero and Claudio make idealistic wedding plans. Shakespeare places Don John, a “plain-dealing villain” into this world of courtship, light-hearted mischief and wit. Isolated from the fun, he is determined to destroy it. Fortunately, members of the bumbling Watch save the day. Returning with his soldiers from a victorious battle, the Prince of Aragon, Don Pedro (Martin Sims), passes through Messina where the governor, Leonato (Gerry Mackay), holds court. With him are Signor Benedick (John Murphy) and Count Claudio (Gaelan Beatty). Claudio immediately falls in love with and courts Leonato’s daughter, Hero (Almeera Jiwa). Meanwhile Don Pedro, Leonato, Claudio and Hero contrive to trick Benedick and Leonato’s niece Beatrice (Jennifer Lines) into falling in love with each other. Determined to spoil everyone else’s happiness is Don John (Parnelli Parnes), Don Pedro’s evil-scheming, illegitimate brother. He sets out to thwart Claudio and Hero’s marriage plans. His follower, Borachio (Haig Sutherland), uses Hero’s gentlewoman Margaret (Sarah Afful) to deceive Claudio into thinking Hero is unchaste. Convinced of her wantonness, Claudio shames Hero at the wedding and she faints away dead. After everyone has left, Friar Francis (Andrew Wheeler) revives Hero, but advises the family to hide the truth. Members of the Watch (Shawn Macdonald, Allan Morgan) led by Dogberry (Simon Bradbury), an enthusiastic, malaprop-spouting constable, discover Borachio describing his deeds to another of Don John’s followers, Conrade (Ian Butcher). The Sexton (Patti Allan), who records the testimony, realizes the implications for Hero and her family. On learning that he had falsely accused Hero, Claudio vows to mourn at Hero’s tomb then marry Hero’s cousin. Claudio accepts his new bride, who is revealed to be Hero, and in spite of some good-natured, last-minute wrangling, Benedick and Beatrice decide to get married too. Dean Paul Gibson has set the play in 1910 Italy, where a rich Spanish flavour layers the production in deference to Don Pedro of Aragon. Set Designer Drew Facey has created a romantic Italian courtyard with a nod to ancient historic lines – columns, arches, shutters and iron gates, punctuated by colourful floral accents. Mara Gottler’s Edwardian costumes mirror the romantic setting with relaxed and light pastels. Murray Price’s music enhances the passion with energetic Spanish ballads and Flamenco music, while Choreographer Karen Flamenco adds authentic dance to the staging. Lighting Designer Gerald King highlights the romance while Nicholas Harrison guides the inevitable conflicts. Stage Manager Stephen Courtenay is assisted by Kelly Barker (Assistant Stage Manager) and Susan Miyagishima (Apprentice Stage Manager).
Performance details for Much Ado About Nothing are as follows:
Tickets are $35.50 (evenings in June) and $38 (evenings after July 1); $18.75 to $31.50 (previews/matinees). Order on-site, by phone at 604-739-0559, or on-line at www.bardonthebeach.org
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