Edward Alderton Theatre Home | News | This Season | Next Season | Bookings | Auditions | Members | Archive | History | Location | Links | Contact Us   Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare Directed by Richard Banks 2-12 April 2008 (10 performances)  BEST PRODUCTION TROPHY   BEST MALE ACTOR - CERTIFICATE OF MERIT: ROGER GOLLOP   KENTISH TIMES AWARD FOR TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT  One of Shakespeare's most popular comedies, this is the tale of the feisty Beatrice, who wants never to get married and be submissive to a husband, in particular Benedick - or so she says. And so he says. But they are tricked into believing each is in love with the other, and this brings about a genuine sympathy between them. Meanwhile a contrasting love match is brought into jeopardy by conniving and lies, when Hero is slandered and Claudio believes what he hears... Cast Leonato Tony Donnelly Richard Banks [one performance only] Antonio Horry Stapleton Hero Rachel De Silva  Beatrice Sarah Hills Margaret Karen Friett Ursula Viv Stapleton Friar Francis Paul Friett Don Pedro Roger Gollop Don John Andy Kelly Claudio Steve Padgham Benedick Mark Campbell Borachio Paul Grimshaw Conrade Matt Clowry Dogberry Richard Gooderson Verges Clive Madel Sexton Nick Sibley George Seacoal David Hampton Hugh Oatcake Jacob Friett Watchmen Matthew Friett, Craig Dowding Attendants Nicola Clark, Ella Banks Messenger Craig Dowding Balthasar Matthew Friett Crew Stage Manager Christine McKeon  Assistant Stage Manager Yvonne Golding Set Design Richard Banks Set Construction John Vinnels, Ron Andrews, Richard Banks, Horry Stapleton Scenic Painting Annette Tranter Set Painting Steve Grubb, Richard Banks, Helen Banks, Viv Stapleton Costumes Helen Banks  Masks Richard Banks Lighting Design & Rigging Jerry McKeon, Christine McKeon, Michael Smith Lighting Operation Jerry McKeon Sound  Rebecca Mason Choreography Jenny McCarthy Programme/Poster Design Richard Banks Preview When love is not what it seems... Shakespeare's comedy about the rules of attraction is at the Edward Alderton Theatre next month. Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Richard Banks, is at the Bexleyheath theatre from April 2 until April 12. The play tells the tale of fiesty Beatrice (Sarah Hills), who wants never to get married and be submissive to a husband, in particular Benedick (Mark Campbell). But they are tricked into believing each is in love with the other, and this brings about a genuine sympathy between them. Meanwhile a contrasting love match is brought into jeopardy by conniving and lies, when Hero (Rachel De Silva) is slandered and Claudio (Steve Padgham) believes what he hears. Tickets are £6.50 are available at the box office on 020 8301 5584 or online at www.edwardalderton.org. Kentish Times I 27 March 2008 Reviews Bard's merry war of words As we settled into our seats, the cast was already on stage cracking open the champagne and strawberries, writes Steve Spencer. And Richard Banks’ production of Much Ado about Nothing at the Edward Alderton Theatre, Bexley, fizzed along in much the same vein. Shakespeare’s much loved (but lesser known) comedy sees a “merry war” of words and emotions between Beatrice and Benedick. But that’s not all: throw in a nasty case of deception aimed at Beatrice’s cousin Hero and her duped lover Claudio, whose contrition eventually secures their marriage, and a hapless troupe of self-important constables and watchmen who apprehend the villains. Director Richard Banks was always mindful of keeping his audience entertained with moments of delicious comedy: Beatrice, disguised as a maid sweeping the courtyard, and Benedick, ludicrously trying to hide behind a potted plant, ‘earwigged’ deliberately staged discussions about themselves much to the perverse amusement of their friends. And Constable Dogberry always chose the wrong word yet somehow made sense of the nonsense he came out with. Much of this success is of course down to the cast - and what a corker! Both Sarah Hills and Mark Campbell were a convincing Beatrice and Benedick – she, feisty and aloof; he, sharp and determined to win his suit. They were ably supported by strong performances including Steve Padgham (a suitably contrite Claudio), Rachel De Silva (a vulnerable but forgiving Hero), Tony Donnelly (Leonato), Roger Gollop (Don Pedro), Andy Kelly (Don John) and Richard Gooderson (Dogberry). Yet, even smaller roles were undertaken with zest and conviction and Shakespeare’s challenging text was never lost or rendered inaccessible. Paul Friett (Friar Francis) delivered a long speech with total clarity, advising Leonato and his family how best to resolve the failed wedding ceremony and expose the wrongdoers.  The well-designed (and brilliantly painted!) set depicting Leonato’s Sicilian courtyard was flexible and provided adequate scope for asides, cloak-and-dagger encounters, spaces to hide (a vine trellis) and, well-choreographed interludes of music and dance. The costumes and masks were also well conceived and contributed admirably to a cracking production which left the audience clapping their approval at the end.  Steve Spencer Kentish Times | 17 April 2008 Bard's classic belies its title Much Ado About Nothing is one of those plays you hope doesn't live up to its title, and Edward Alderton's production of Shakespeare's romantic comedy didn't disappoint on any score. The action takes place in 16th century Sicily, where all's fair in love and war. Confirmed bachelor Benedick and fiery Beatrice have only contempt for each other before the matchmaking of their friends brings them much closer. Meanwhile, Count Claudio's marriage to beautiful Hero is put in jeopardy by the evil scheming of Don John. The love-hate relationship between Benedick (Mark Campbell) and Beatrice (Sarah Hills) was well played throughout. As Dogberry, the bumbling Constable, Richard Gooderson's heavy-handed comic interventions brought light relief to the unfolding dramas elsewhere. Director Richard Banks gave the players modern costumes but his own set design wonderfully evoked the feel of an Italian noble country estate. Nick Marsden Bexley Extra | 25 April 2008 Feedback Amazing. The fading to darkness was fantastic and yet you could still see the actors, same with the daylight - shadows in the right places etc... The sound all the way through was at just the right level to be heard but not intrusive. The costumes were great, the set - wonderful. Wendi Freeman The show was really, really good. Probably the best amateur Shakespeare I've seen. All the cast were excellent. Matt Kellett I did enjoy it, in particular Richard Gooderson 's performance which I thought was really funny. Glad I made the effort to go. Emma Wydell Miscellaneous Press Release (PDF) Programme (PDF)

Photos (c) Paul Lay, Richard Banks and Mark Campbell and not to be reproduced without permission