Much Ado About Nothing
Dates of performance
January 2005
Director’s Note
Deception as a Means to an End
The plot of Much Ado About Nothing is based upon deliberate deceptions, some malevolent and others benign. The duping of Claudio and Don Pedro results in the young lady Hero’s disgrace, while the ruse of her death prepares the way for her redemption and reconciliation with her true love Claudio.
In a more light-hearted vein, Beatrice and Benedick are fooled into thinking that each loves the other, and they actually do fall in love as a result. Much Ado About Nothing shows that deceit is not inherently evil, but something that can be used as a means to good or bad ends.
I love the language of the play and how it pokes fun at the fanciful language of love that lovers use. When Claudio falls in love, he tries to be the perfect lover by using intricate language. And his friend, Benedick, notes: “His words are a very fantastical banquet, just so many strange dishes”.
Historical Background -
Churchill and Roosevelt met in January 1943 in Casablanca and confirmed the Allied policy of dealing with the Germans in the Mediterranean and established the invasion of Sicily as the next objective.
It began on July 10 -1943, Palermo was taken on July 22 and on August 16 the allies entered Messina – the setting for our play. Italy’s enthusiasm for the war had been cooling for some time, and both the American entry into the war helped change the popular mood - the long tradition of immigration had created a respect for American power.
Mussolini’s position was undermined as both industrialists and fascist leaders began to favour a peace; opposition united around King Victor Emmanuel and Mussolini’s grip on events became dangerously weak. On July 25, he was arrested, and Marshal Pietro Badoglio formed a government that began negotiations with the allies and signed an outlined armistice on September 3.
Later in September 1943 Mussolini was rescued from captivity in a daring raid by the SS. In April 1945, however, he concluded that the game was up and set off for Switzerland with his mistress, a handful of adherents, and a fortune in gold. He was caught by the partisans on the night of April 28 and promptly shot. The bodies of Mussolini, his mistress and several of his associates were exhibited in Milan’s Piazza Lorento
Synopsis
The courtyard of Leonato’s Country Villa in Messina.
1946. (The Great War is over)
Leonato, the mayor of Messina, has just received a letter informing him that a triumphant Don Pedro (having fought for several years with the Allies to finally liberate Italy from the Germans) and his men will be coming to Messina. The messenger further informs him that a young man named Claudio earned significant recognition during the latest battles. Beatrice, Leonato's niece, asks about Benedick and learns that he too is with the group.
Don Pedro arrives and Leonato agrees to let Don Pedro's men stay in Messina for a month.
Don John, the bitter, bastard brother of Don Pedro, who was part of a treason plot (possibly the rescue of Mussolini) and has been reconciled to his brother; is also a reluctant part of this entourage.
Claudio meanwhile notices Leonato's daughter Hero and tells his friend Benedick that he has fallen in love with her. Benedick scoffs at the thought of Claudio falling in love and points out that he will never be made a fool of and get married.
Don Pedro learns from Benedick that Claudio is in love with Hero and offers to woo her for Claudio that night at the masked ball and speak to Leonato about arranging a marriage. Claudio is thrilled with this plan and agrees to it. This is overheard, and Leonato, excited by this news leaves to let his daughter know about the possible proposal.
Don John has also learned about brother’s plan to woo Hero for Claudio, a man whom he despises. He works out a plan to make Claudio think that Don Pedro is wooing Hero in order to keep her for himself.
At the evening ball, while Don Pedro dances with Hero, Don John and his friends Borachio and Conrade approach Claudio and set their plan in motion. Claudio is crushed by this news. The plan is thwarted however when Don Pedro denies the accusation and he informs Claudio that he successfully wooed Hero for him. The wedding is set for seven days hence. Meanwhile Don Pedro hatches a plot to get the two who are so disdainful of love, Beatrice and Benedick, to fall in love with each other.
Don John is furious that everything worked out for Claudio. He and Borachio plan a further disruption of the wedding by Borachio seducing Margaret in Hero’s room. When seen by Claudio, he will think that Margaret is Hero and denounce her.
Meanwhile Don Pedro, Leonato and Claudio continue in their plot to ensnare Benedick into a love-struck lover. Hero, Ursula and Margaret continue in a similar vain with Beatrice. Both are aghast at the news that the other loves them and vow to change their ways.
Don John arrives and tells Claudio that he has proof that Hero is disloyal to him and convinces him to go into the garden that night and spy on Hero's chamber window.
Dogberry and Verges, the local constabulary, appoint a soldier to be the watchmen in charge. He overhears Borachio telling Conrad of the outcome of their plot and laughingly informs Conrad that Don John paid him a thousand ducats for the deception. The watchman reveals himself and arrests the two men.
INTERVAL
The next morning Dogberry and Verges desperately try to inform Leonato that they have caught two disreputable men the night before. Leonato tells them he does not have time to interrogate the men and orders them to take care of it.
The wedding unfolds with Claudio denouncing Hero. Don Pedro defends his story, causing Hero to collapse in a faint. Leonato is disgraced and embarrassed by the accusation but is persuaded of her innocence by Friar Francis. Friar Francis cleverly tells Leonato to pretend that Hero has died and to turn the town's scorn into sympathy as well as make Claudio feel guilty for the way he acted. Benedick and Beatrice declare their love for each other.
Dogberry has brought Borachio and Conrad before the Friar and is trying to make them confess.
Leonato and Antonio meet Don Pedro and Claudio. Leonato immediately rages against Claudio for dishonouring him and killing his daughter. Benedick arrives and challenges Claudio to a duel. Dogberry and the constables then arrive with Borachio in tow. Borachio reveals the entire plot against Hero.
Leonato, having learnt that Claudio nor Don Pedro were innocently drawn in to the conspiracy, makes Claudio agree to write an epitaph for Hero's grave and gets him to promise to marry Antonio's daughter, the cousin of Hero.
The wedding day arrives and all is revealed.
Cast List
| LEONATO | Mayor of Messina |
DAVID MULLER |
| ANTONIO | Brother to Leonato | RAFFAELE SABATINI |
| BEATRICE | Leonato’s ward and niece | ANTHEA THOMPSON |
| HERO | Daughter of Leonato | BALI KGOSIDINTSI |
MARGARET |
Waiting woman | CINDY SAMPSON |
| URSULA | Waiting woman | CANDICE VA LITSENBORGH |
| AMELIA | Waiting woman | AMANDA TIFFIN |
| SOLDIER | ADRIAN COLLINS | |
| SON PEDRO | Prince of Arragon | MATHEW WILD |
| BENEDICK | A gentleman of Padua | GRANT MEYER |
| CLAUDIO | A count of Florence | DAVID JOHNSON |
| BOACHIO | Follower of Don John | NICK PAULING |
| CONRADE | Follower of Don John | TAURIQ JENKINS |
| DOGBERY | Constable of Messina | LUKE ELLENBOGEN |
| VERGES | His partner in office | DANIEL JUDES |
| FRAIR FRANCIS | ADAM NEILL |
Creative List
| DIRECTOR | FRED ABRAHAMSE |
| SET | PETER CAZALET |
| COSTUMES | PENNY SIMPSON |
| LIGHTING | FAHEEM BARDIEN |
| SOUND | TONY MADIKANSE |
| MUSICAL ARRANGEMENT | AMANDA TIFFIN |
| DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY | KYLA THORBURN |
| PROJECT MANAGER | BRAIN HEYDENRYCH |
| STAGE MANAGER | ALFRED RIETMANN |
| ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER | MILTON SCHORR |
| PRODUCTION MANAGER | DERRICK WILDEMAN |
| LIGHTING OPERATOR | FAHEEM BARDIEN |
| SOUND OPERATOR | LYNLEY PILLAY |
| SOUND ASSISTANT | BIANCA-LEIGH KEMPSHELL |
| PHOTOGRAPHY | GORDON MCALLISTER & GARTH STEAD |
| POSTER & PROGRAMME DESIGN | RICHARD MASON |
| FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER | DERRICK DE KOCK |
