Tuesday, 25 August 2009
As an arbor of autumnal leaves freckle across its heaven, Black Swan State Theatre’s production of Much Ado about Nothing opens with a languid sigh; the fair citizens of Messina ambling onto the sun dappled stage, all reactions slowed to remind the audience of the unhurried pleasure of a summer’s day…despite Perth’s chilly night!
Soon though, the soldiers from a distant war return and the action picks apace as robust testosterone zings into the mostly estrogen air of this idyllic village town, and Cupid’s arrow finds its mark when handsome Claudio (Stuart Halusz) is felled by the sweet smile of Hero (Shubhadra Young), daughter and heir to their avuncular host Leonato (Michael Loney, scenery chewing his way through the Shakespearean text with relish).
Leonato welcomes back Don Pedro and his men and invites them to stay, relax, and be entertained; a celebration of having returned safely. The fair maidens of Messina quickly choose a favourite, but lively and fearless Beatrice, a defiant bachelorette, is nonplussed about all the matchy matchiness and instead verbally jousts with fellow nemesis snark Benedick, both almost unaware just how much fun they obtain in each other’s company with their ongoing competition of wordy one-upmanship.
Kirsty Hillhouse was an engaging Beatrice, her eloquent tone and charming manner disguising some sharp bon mots, softened somewhat by a smart twinkle of familial love in her eye. Benedick sported Kenneth Ransom’s natural American accent which while initially a novelty every time he spoke, was easily accepted, the original play notes mentioning that the soldiers are drawn from many countries. His lanky frame was well suited to some slapstick scenes and the love-hate chemistry between his character and Beatrice was delicious.
In all this honey there comes a fly, and a dour trio of party poopers led by Austin Castiglione as illegitimate pretender to the throne Don John, plots to humiliate regal Don Pedro (Steve Turner) who has recently courted Hero on behalf of Claudio. Little lies and intimations on the nature of Hero’s chastity lead to the first act finale of the worst wedding day scenario for a bride ever.
But this is a comedy, and of-many-roles Luke Hewitt in his alternate guise of Friar Francis shrewdly advises Hero to play possum and her family to likewise shroud themselves in mourning as he convinces them that news of her death will flush out the real culprits of this conspiracy.
It turns out that he’s right, as boastful Borachio (Tim Solly) with the sneering Conrade (Brendan Ewing) have drunk enough alcohol to reach the level of stupidity that allows them to not only spill their entire plot with Don John, naming names and pronouncing payment terms; but to be heard and captured by the largely ineffectual Messina night watch.
Dogberry (Geoff Kelso with more than a touch of Dad’s Army) and his Boy Scout lieutenant Verges (Brendan Hanson) remarkably manage to interrogate two battle hardened soldiers and handle the truth well enough to prove Hero’s innocence.
Claudio, remorseful and prepared for his punishment of a life married to Hero’s “cousin” is instead given back the girl of his dreams, but the audience has already moved onto the much more vibrant romance of Benedick and Beatrice, who really have a much more stable start to their union having dispensed with civility upon a previous meeting and told each other to their faces all their flaws and faults upfront!
Behind the scenes kudos to director Kate Cherry, set and costume designer Christina Smith, and lighting designer David Murray for setting the stage for a sparkling and witty Shakespearean night out.
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