Much Ado

My not brilliant picture of the actually brilliant set.

Just a quick post. We went to see this brilliant RSC production of Much Ado About Nothing at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon on Monday. When Paul and I first met we bonded over our shared love of the play and of the Kenneth Branagh/ Emma Thompson film version, so it seemed like such a good sign that our first Stratford theatre experience after moving up here would be a play so special to both of us. We were not disappointed.  Never before had it occurred to me that the plot leant itself so brilliantly to a slice of Bollywood. Paul Bhatacharjee and Meera Syal as Benedick and Beatrice were wonderful- she had me in tears (both kinds). The rest of the cast were great too, even the Dogberry scenes which I have never liked before were perfect, and the music... the music was amazing. You could see everyone wiggling around in their seats because the whole atmosphere was so infectious. I really enjoyed seeing such a fresh interpretation, the way that the dialogue stood up so well to such a creative rendering is testament to the timelessness of the play, to the flexibility and immense possibility ever present in language. Funny, moving, truly joyful, if you can catch it then I would highly recommend doing so. Here is a trailer that gives you a little taste of things: