How did the director choose to stage Shakespeares play, acting, costumes, set design, lighting and sound - Essay Example

of A Review of the “Much Ado About Nothing” Show By Hilberry Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare was recently performed in Hilberry Theatre with so much hilarity and downright glee. This play, originally written in 1597 has now been updated into modern day Italy. It starts with men returning from warfare but their minds are filled with romance. It was acted by Prince Don Pedro known as Alec Barbour, who helps his friend Claudio, known as Christopher Ellis, falls in love with the beautiful Hero, Carollette Phillips while his brother John, Andrew Papa is busy conspiring to spoil everything through a scandalous lie.

A second friend Bachelor Benedick, known as Dave Toomey seeks to resume his battle of wits with the woman he ends up falling in love with Beatrice, Vanessa Sawson. Their performance is one full of clever subtlety and ingenuity. Matthew Earnest, who is the director has added some great modern flourishes beginning with the first-act rhyming delivered through a karaoke machine enhanced with complete projected lyrics. In the second half, the love letter gives it a mid-80s power touch to link it with its original feeling.

As for the second part, Dogberry and the security team dressed like park rangers gives it a silly yet humorous aspect and is well performed. This is further colored by the Yogi Bear cameo who is not left behind and shines during the party scene and during which revelers sport bizarre masks coupled with cheesy dance moves. It’s a combination of modern dressing, which suits the production perfectly, with contemporary music and dance, which surprisingly turn out great.The Set designer, Marshall-Amundsen brings out the most ingenious as well as most troublesome aspect of the play, (Delaney, Para. 6). Her towering hedgerow backdrop allows the perfect way for characters to step in just at the right moments with relative ease.

When the rainstorm erupts, torrents of water drop from heavens bringing in a convincingly atmospheric special breeze. The stagecraft and lighting has been designed to generate a unique visual experience. The only part that was not as successful was the gavel-covered stage. Even though it helps in collecting rain water, it produces a disturbing crunch whenever the performers step on it. The actors had to try and step lightly so as not to interfere with the entire play.All in all, the success of the ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ presented by Hilberry, which is a company made up of graduate student from Wayne State, proves that with a little more reverence, they can be successful in presenting Shakespeare even as they have fun.

Work citedDelaney, Robert. “Innovative ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ at Hilberry”. ‘Much Ado’ Review by New Monitor, November 3, 2011. The Hilberry Theatre.