The Samarès Players made a grand return last week and certainly didn’t disappoint.
Rife with mistaken identity, betrayal and slapstick comedy, Much Ado About Nothing is an archetypal Shakespearean comedy which the Samarès Players have adapted to delight all modern audience members.
Audience participation is, however, an ongoing risk at the performances. You have been warned.
This depiction of Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing is set in Godfather-esque Sicily with music from the ionic film trilogy played by the band as accompaniment.
James Hill’s direction plunges the story into the world of mob bosses and revenge for a performance which brings endless drama “on this, the day of my daughter’s wedding”.
Chris and Caroline Stone’s performances of Benedick and Beatrice were without a doubt the highlights of the play, enfolding quintessential Shakespearean wit and levity into these two iconic characters.
Caroline Stone brought a nimble sharpness and energy to the role, and made Beatrice a compelling and forceful heroine who undoubtedly stole the stage.
The play also encompassed not one, not two, but three comedy duos – each one more humorous than the last and certainly kicking the second half off with a bang.
James Hill’s performance of George Seacole the nightwatchman was particularly humorous, showing a difficult mastery of physical comedy which is not to be missed.
From her bedazzled mourning dress to her heart wrenching lamentation of her daughter’s public shaming, Samantha Fitzpatrick’s gender-bent performance of Leonato as Signora Leonata (or Saggy Nora Leonata, depending on who you ask) was immensely watchable and distinctly enjoyable.
Nicole Twinam’s Don John was delightfully maudlin and vengeful, bringing the disaffection she showed as Jacques in the Players’ 2024 production of As You Like It to the play’s antagonist.
The gardens of Samarès Manor served as a picturesque al fresco setting for the play which the actors were able to use deftly and confidently to bolster a performance which was no doubt well rehearsed, produced and directed.