An enchanted evening under the stars was experienced by both cast and audience alike on Aug. 30. An auspicious collaboration between the Newtowne Players and Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) has culminated in a series of performances of Shakespeare’s comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Beth Sanford and produced by Aaron and Jenny Meisinger.
Presented on the statehouse lawn in St. Mary’s City Aug. 23, 24, 30 and 31, it will be moving indoors to the Three Notch Theatre in Lexington Park Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays September 6 though15. (Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3:30 p.m.) The experience was enchanting for the cast, as Aug. 30 was the first of the three HSMC performances thus far to be presented entirely outside! – the first two performances had to be moved indoors to the statehouse, interrupted by inclement weather. It was enchanting for the audience too, as we were entertained by a stellar company on a picture-perfect, star-studded night.
Much Ado About Nothing is a play of plays on words, misunderstandings, double-entendres, mistaken identities, spying, eavesdropping, role-playing, deception, perception, leaps of imagination, and hearsay. The title itself is a play on words: in Shakespeare’s day, “nothing” and “noting” were homophones. “Nothing” could have been pronounced as “noting” in early, modern English. So the title can mean a great “to do” about something meaningless, or “noting”, equaling eavesdropping, in addition to illuminating what people may “note” when they overhear someone’s else conversations.
This comedic play, written from 1598-99, is set in Messina, Italy – a port city on Sicily. The action takes place at Leonato’s estate, and the 1934 reconstructed State House of 1634 provided the classic backdrop for entrances and exits, as well as affording the use of its pathway. The play combines comedy with elements of honor, shame, and court politics with a finale of two marriages. There are – surprisingly (for Shakespeare!) – no deaths in this play.
Beatrice and Benedick are the primary couple in this story, setting off witty verbal fireworks as they profess to loathe each other. (Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson portrayed this pair in the 1993 movie version). Hero and Claudio are the secondary couple rendered almost mute as they are so overwhelmingly in love with each other.
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