MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING - REVIEW OF SHAKESPEARE IN HIGH PARK PRODUCTION

Reviewed by James Karas

The second Canadian Stage offering of Shakespeare in High Park is Much Ado About Nothing in a spirited, irreverent and entertaining production. They show no respect for the text, adlib whenever they feel like it, grab a microphone and speak directly to the audience and everyone loves them. All is done in about a hundred minutes give or take and no one is the worse for it.

Director Liza Balkan sets a brisk pace as is expected in an open air production and Ravel’s Bolero provides the background music when necessary.

Emma Ferreira, Helen Taylor, Jamie Robinson, Allan Louis, Photo Dahlia Katz

Much Ado has Beatrice (Rose Napoli) and Benedick (Jamie Robinson) who engage in verbal jousting and comic insults from the minute that they see each other again. She has it in for him and takes him to task as soon as she hears that he is coming. They are a delight to hear and are just as funny when they fall in love and become tongue-tied.  

Shakespeare leaves the low comedy in the mouth of RCMP Constable Dogberry played brilliantly by Nora McLellan.  Accompanied by her partner Verges (Heath V. Salazar), she proves once more that the RCMP always gets its man especially when a low-ranking, hilarious woman officer like Dogberry is assigned to the job. She goes off to Canadian Tire after receiving her reward for a job well done.

There is a serious and almost tragic love affair between the passionate Claudio (Emilio Vieira) and Hero (Emma Ferreira) whose marriage is aborted at the altar by the evil Don John (Natasha Mumba) and his/her followers Borachio (Richard Lam) and Conrad (Can Kömleksiz). But they do not stand a chance against the police work of Dogberry.

Rose Napoli, Helen Taylor, Jamie Robinson, Allan Louis, Photo: Dahlia Katz

The serious part of the play is not ignored but Balkan quite properly emphasizes the festive and comical aspects. The costumes are modern and non-descript but when there is a ball all wear colourful and outlandish attire. It is a party and even if some wooing is going on, this is a joyous occasion.

The atmosphere in the full amphitheater is relaxed and the audience is receptive and appears to be having fun. It is a good place for a picnic for spectators and mosquitos alike. The seating comfort provided by the thin cushions and hard surfaces is in direct proportion to the padding that you bring yourself.

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Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, in a Canadian Stage production in collaboration with the Department of Theatre, School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design at York University, continues in repertory until September 1, 2019 in the High Park Amphitheatre, High Park, 1873 Bloor St W. Toronto, Ont. www.canadianstage.com

James Karas is the Senior Editor - Culture of The Greek Press. www.greekpress.ca