“Much Ado About Nothing” Critique I attended the Sunday matinee of the Nevada Conservatory Theatre’s production of “Much Ado About Nothing.” It was overall, an extremely well done performance, from the acting, to the costumes, but as with any piece of art not without it’s faults. The set was well made and fit the time period quite nicely, but I could not help but feel it could have used a few more props to give the audience a better sense of immersion. It was often hard to tell where the scene was, or if the characters had changed scenes or not. Using more props would also give more distinction between events and places making the overall scenes more memorable. One of the strongest points in the play was the costumes. They all were extraordinarily well made, and …show more content…
I understand his problem playing a more proper character surrounded by much more open personalities, but I felt he was out of place for the first part of the play. However, once the play was in full swing he found his rhythm and balanced his properness with his character’s lighter side, fitting perfectly in the charismatic cast while not compromising his character.
I was impressed by the work of dogberry and the two watchmen. They all worked fantastically together, and it is abundantly obvious that they had rehearsed quite a bit. The coordination between the two watchmen was spot on, and was amusing to watch.
Every so often there seemed to be a scene that didn’t seem to be quite as well played as the rest. Perhaps this happened as a mid-play drag of sorts, but nevertheless some scenes felt like the actors were only reciting the lines without any clear action in mind. The Nevada Conservatory Theatre put on a phenomenal performance of the play “All Ado About Nothing.” Even though a few scenes and performances were a little flat (most of which were corrected by the end of the play anyway), it did nothing to take away from the overall
Many, if not all, plays are written to evoke thoughts from people in the audience. Through their scripts, authors deliver messages about their opinions on various issues ranging from gender roles to class ranks. These messages are developed to provoke thoughts and questions from people who experience performances. In the play Rome Sweet Rome, the Q Brothers Collective use both new and old theatrical techniques to make parallels between the Roman and United States governments by addressing issues involving women’s roles in society, class rank, and homosexuality. The play uses methods both similar and different to other classic plays to deliver a message that is relatable to issues in today’s world. This message is enhanced through the use of acting styles, set design, costumes, music, and lighting.
"Shakespeare - The nearest thing in incarnation to the eye of God (Laurence Olivier)." Perhaps making the comparison between Shakespeare and a deity is a little far-fetched, but knowing Laurence Olivier is from the 1800s, we can assume that he means was an exquisite artist1. Shakespeare’s work continues to be relevant in today’s literature education. Despite his admirable art, modern directors choose to parody his plays in ridiculous “adaptations”. His play Much Ado About Nothing proves to be an ideal exemplar of being subjected to such parody. With it’s easy to follow film techniques, giving us a view into a foreign culture, and the plot making sense with the time period, Much Ado About Nothing proves that classic Shakespeare is better than
Drama text, Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare is a romantic comedy revolved around marriage, dishonesty and love. In 2007, the original play had been interpreted and adapted into a new film text; Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare Retold. This new film version is an adaption for the modern audience who’s views around love and marriage have changed since Elizabethan times. Brian Percival ‘Retold’ the original play, first published in 1623 by reinterpreting it into his own understanding of modern society with the focus of women’s roles nowadays. Whilst doing this Percival has maintained many of Shakespeare’s intentions.
Much Ado About Nothing many events dealing with gossip, perplexion, and rumors. In the 1993 film version, mainly emphasizes on the confusion that the characters have. In Shakespeare’s day, the “nothing” would have been pronounced as “noting” meaning gossiping.
A central theme in the play Much Ado About Nothing is the appearance versus reality portrayed through characters. Throughout the play characters are in a constant battle of showing their hidden truths or withholding their faulty appearances.
First, the characters in Much Ado about Nothing deal with pressures of their time that do not totally match up to societal norms of today. However, the concept of the desire to fit the standard is the same today as it was in Shakespeare’s time. One interesting ideology
This film will provide you with an enhanced understanding of the play. Although, it is misleading at times, this version of the play will keep you fully entertained for the full 111 minutes and provide you with extra knowledge of the play. Casting The majority of the cast was well selected,
?Much Ado About Nothing'' is a postwar love story. Its principal subject is that of romance that may settle over the land after soldiers come home. I noticed that Much Ado is actually two love stories. One concerns sweetly innocent lovers who are driven apart by the plotting of enemies. The other involves very sarcastic lovers who are swept into each other's arms by the benign machinations of friends. I had a lot of trouble understanding the dialect, I grew up a country boy and we didn?t do much of this in my 14 persons graduating class. None the less I didn?t think it was a waste of time either. It was of very good quality as far as a plot is
In this play, Shakespeare conveys important themes, including deception, honor, and social grace in a comedic manner. An example is when Dogberry accentuates how a character’s social grace is not a representation of their class. He demonstrates this by trying to sound smart, but in reality, he was making a fool of himself. Furthermore, the play also has a more pleasant plot and theme, and is more easy going contrary to Shakespeare’s tragedies. In addition, Much Ado About Nothing gives the reader an improved understanding of Shakespeare’s society in the Elizabethan age. The play emphasizes how important reputation and honor is at that time. Different relationships, for example, father-daughter relations are also mentioned. “If the prince do solicit you in that kind, you know your answer.” (II.i.65). This line mentions how parents expect their daughter to marry a wealthy man, because women couldn’t work. To sum up, these are all examples of Shakespeare and his creative usage of themes and motifs. This makes Much Ado About Nothing a great play for first time Shakespeare
In Shakespeare 's play, Much Ado about Nothing, many contrasting views on the subject of love are dramatised in the relationships presented, particularly those of Benedick and Beatrice, and Claudio and Hero. These views help to shape the play into a comedy, due to the severe differences.
Much Ado about Nothing is a romantic comedy written by William Shakespeare. Deception is a repeated theme throughout the play and it performs an essential role in the matters relating to romance. There are two couples who unwittingly are participants in the matchmaking and the match breaking schemes of others. There is Claudio of Florence and Benedick of Padua who arrive at Leonato’s house in Messina with Don Pedro, after being away in battle. Then, there is Hero, Leonato’s daughter, and heir, as well as her devoted cousin, Beatrice. In Much Ado about Nothing Shakespeare uses language and literary devices to reassure the audience that love will persevere and prevail in the end. He achieves this by juxtaposing Benedick and Beatrice with Claudio and Hero.
does not want to be know as a so called liar or be torn apart by all
The play Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare consists of many themes which grow out of the game of love'. The two main themes consist of perception and deception. Through the plot complications, character development and dramatic techniques these themes can be explored. In the play deception is shown on both good and evil sides, the game of love between Beatrice and Benedick and the Don John plot to split up Hero and Claudio. Perception is a theme used in most of Shakespeare's plays. Perceptive views by the characters help portray the game of love. Hero is perceived as dead which then Claudio is sorry and feels for her. Beatrice and Benedick's loved is clouded by each other's perceptions and arguments.
In this essay I will be comparing Shakespeare’s original comedy play of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ to the 2005 BBC Shakespeare Re-told modern film adaptation. With the play created in 1598-1599, the way of living in the times when the two sources were created were very different. The original play, created in Elizabethan England was a time where woman had few rights and freedoms. Women were “owned” by fathers or husbands and were subservient to them. There was an elite aristocracy and people had limited knowledge of the world, what was known was heavily influenced by church and monarchy. The characters in the play portray the people of the time, relating it to the lives of the audience of the play. The film was created in a completely different time and isn’t like the
wit in a manner that is all too cosy. The irony is that, were it not