Much Ado About Nothing. A lively production set in the Jane Austin Period!
Photo.David Baker
Much Ado ABout Nothing by Shakespeare. Directed by Craig Walker. A production of the St. lawrence Festival, Prescott
I recommend reading the excellent synopsis in the program, as this is one of Shakespeare’s most confusing comedies. Set by Director Craig Walker in the period of Jane Austin’s “Pride and Prejudice,” the plot twists through multiple misunderstandings, plotting, and eavesdropping.
The cast helps with the clarity, especially Michael Man as Borachio, an easily persuaded villain, and as the Friar who, in Act II, clarifies various deceptions. Sarah English gives us a nicely three-dimensional Hero, as does Audrey Clairman as the maid, Ursula, and Jesse Nerenberg is a satisfyingly nasty villain in Don John. Oddly, the broad acting style of Gabrielle Lazarovitz seems more suited to her Dogberry rather than her Beatrice. However, she sings beautifully and in the opening scene she and Melissa Morris as Balthasar sing a lovely duet of an Italian Art Song.