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After a successful, well-reviewed run in London, Much Ado About Nothing moved confidently to the Jardin Shakespeare for the Tower's annual jaunt. The garden was at its most lush and verdant. The weather - never to be relied on in open-air theatres - was gloriously warm and the performance was gently bathed in the light of the setting sun. It couldn't have been lovelier.
The perfect setting was complimented by a cracking show. The plot, for sure, is a bit soppy but the directors and cast did a great job of keeping the pace up and delivering an engaging performance. There was no sense of flagging or any superfluous bits. The show was excellent and the enthusiastic applause was well deserved.
There were top performances from Sarah Evans and Shane Sweeney as Beatrice and Benedick. The heavy-handed in-joke of everyone (rest of characters and the audience) knowing that Beatrice and Benedick really fancy each other - even though they pretend not to - was delivered with a light touch and was very amusing. Asma Mani, as the maligned Hero, gave a spirited and rounded performance - equally believable as the sparky girl plotting to bring Beatrice and Benedick together, and the wronged victim of villainous Don John's evil plots (a chilling performance from Martin Shaw). Simon Taylor was a delightful Leonato. It's usually hard to like him, as he's so quick to believe the worst of his much-loved daughter, but Simon did a great job of making him sympathetic and forgivable when all is properly resolved - as it should be - at the conclusion. Does Claudio really deserve Hero after how he's behaved? Well - no matter - she wants him and Paul Isaacs was an appealing suitor and I could believe that Hero would find ways for him to make it up to her throughout their married life. James McKendrick was a very watchable Don Pedro and a convincing contrast to his nasty half-brother.
I very much enjoyed the Dogberry and Verges scenes - they and their merry band of watchmen brought additional comedy to the evening and helped to reassure us that all would be well in the end - despite the machinations of Don John. Martin Shaw did an excellent job of doubling up as Dogberry/Don John - such contrasting characters, yet Martin managed to pull them both out of the bag with aplomb. Peter Novis as the bumbling Verges (another Confused Old Man part that Peter does so wonderfully well) was a joy to watch.
One of the best aspects of this (very good) production was the paciness and the ease with which the cast managed to establish their characters and move the plot along in a succession of quickfire scenes. No time to feel as though anyone was hanging around annoyingly on stage - on to the next thing! Boo - bad Don John! Oh no - poor Hero! Hooray - Dogberry and Verges save the day! Oh look - finally Beatrice and Benedick get together. Applause all round.
The costumes were lovely - and looked great even in the unforgiving light of day. No wrinkly tights in evidence here. Wisely, the setting on stage was very understated - who needs anything when there's the unrivalled natural backdrop of the Jardin Shakespeare at its most leafy and beautiful?
Everyone involved in this production deserves congratulation for delivering such a quality show. There's a real feeling of the Tower's Paris tour going from strength to strength - long may it continue!
Roanne Insley is surprised to discover that she has been involved in the Tower Theatre Company for more than 30 years - and worked on, or watched, a goodly number of Shakespeare plays in Paris in all kinds of weather. She's hoping to see many more!
Photography by Laurence Tuerk
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