Much Ado About Nothing

Artefact Theatre Company has produced a lively and exuberant production of this wonderful Shakespeare comedy. The Fitzroy setting is superbly evoked through the set design and through a variety of small and large gestures that capture the unique inner-city culture for which it is famous.

Mark Yeates as Benedick is undoubtedly the star of the show. His ability to capture every nuance of the lines and the complexity and contradictions of his character creates a large portion of the pleasure of watching the show. He is well supported by his co-stars and the show features a very strong line up of highly talented performers, including Francis Greesnlade as Leonato, Tim Constantine as Don Pedro, Cazz Bainbridge as Beatrice, Sarah Oliver as Hero, Ross Dwyer as Dogberry and Justin Edbrooke as Verges.

The comedic elements are really well studied in this production and the coordination of the large cast is managed with precision but retains a relaxed, and sometimes loose feeling. This gives the show a great air of naturalness. The opening scene is quite magical and impressive, setting a really great tone for the show. The large cast fills the stage and gives it a lovely sense of grandeur. 

In this production slapstick humour is combined with some great dramatic pause, and is punctuated with some hysterical facial expressions to highlight the playful subterfuge that is continually being concocted by the various characters. The interests they are serving are well defined and this helps to emphasise the humour and retain clarity in a somewhat convoluted story.

The more serious and dramatic elements of the play would benefit from the same level of attention and demonstrates that the show is at its best when dealing with comedy. Finding the right balance between the two opposing moods in this play is a challenge which could be met with more depth. There is a tendency for the romance between Benedick and Beatrice to overshadow that between Claudio and Hero (where a great deal of the heartbreaking drama lies). 

Music is made an integral part of the show and the performances by the live musicians gives the show a great deal of energy. The numbers are built into the production to help drive the narrative and to create a truly festive atmosphere. The music and the singing are often quite moving and adds an important dimension to this production. This show exhibits an excellent command of the text and expertly delivers some very enjoyable theatre.

Patricia Di Risio