Much Ado at the Lantern

Last week I went to see the Dilys Guite Players’ production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing at the Lantern Theatre in Nether Edge, directed by Martin Derbyshire.

Much Ado is set in Messina on the island of Sicily, when it was under the rule of Aragon, Spain. The action mainly takes place in the home and grounds of Leonato, the governor of Messina, and is centred on the romantic lives of his daughter Hero and his niece Beatrice.  

 Rob Myles and Annie Bethel played Benedick and Beatrice

At the beginning of the play, news is brought that the Prince of Aragon Don Pedro and his officers Benedick and Claudio have just returned from a successful battle. There is immediate tension between Benedick and Leonato’s niece Beatrice, who obviously hold some kind of grudge against one another, making the audience wonder what had happened between them in the past.

Alongside this bickering we see the rapidly blossoming romance between Claudio and Hero, and before we know it a day is set for the wedding.

However, Don Pedro’s wicked brother Don John has other ideas, and comes up with a plan to ruin the wedding and shame Hero.

Meanwhile sparks continue to fly between Benedick and Beatrice, and with the help of their interfering friends they begin to see each other in a different light. But will recent events mean that their loyalties will lie elsewhere? And what about Claudio and Hero, will they have their happy ending?

Much Ado was very entertaining with its silly, farcical feel, a great contrast to other Shakespeare plays that have been performed in Sheffield recently! After Hamlet and Macbeth I was definitely in need of a good comedy…

The production was fast paced and good use was made of such a small stage. The set was impressive; it looked very professional and helped to set the scene.

Generally there was a very high standard of acting; I really enjoyed Rob Myles’ portrayal of Benedick, he was very animated and amusing. Jamie Nuttall and Annie Bethel also impressed as Claudio and Beatrice, and there was good chemistry between these characters.

TJ Brown also caught my eye as Don John; he made a great villain, but I wasn’t quite sure what look he was going for, Russell Brand, or Captain Jack Sparrow…

Jonathon Syer and Steve Eddison made a great and at times surreal double act as Dogberry and Verges. They were outrageous and hilarious throughout, although perhaps at times funny for the wrong reasons…

Listen to my interview with Benedick and Beatrice, Rob Myles and Annie Bethel, HERE.

For more information about the Lantern Theatre please visit their website.