‘Much Ado’ is upbeat fun

If you’re after a drive in the country with a pleasing destination, you may want to consider Thieving Magpie’s production of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” currently running in Nelson County’s Hamner Theater, and soon to move performances outdoors to a couple of wineries in that area.

This production of “Much Ado” might be considered a sort of Shakespeare Lite. Under John Holdren’s direction, it’s deliberately irreverent while keeping Shakespeare’s language and spirit intact. The set is minimal, the costuming simple. This is the kind of lighthearted, fun Shakespeare that offers a good chance to introduce young people to his work.

As a theatrical appetizer, and in keeping with what might have happened in Shakespeare’s day, there are musical performances before the show and during intermission. The “fourth wall” is deliberately and literally broken, and it’s clear the cast is having a whale of a good time.

And, for the most part, so was Friday’s audience. This is a comedy about young love, bastardly brotherly betrayal and happy endings, as the outspoken Beatrice declares disdain for all men and her cousin Hero falls in love with one. Shakespeare liked plot twists, and there are several in this show.

This production’s fun to watch, with some fine, energetic performances that don’t disappoint.

Sara Holdren is a very good actor, so her challenge is not to outshine the rest of the company. While it’s unlikely that she’s deliberately trying to do that, it does happen occasionally.

Emma Duncan’s performance as Hero, a sweet girl slandered, is very good, though even in the small Hamner she needs to project more. This was a problem when she played Johanna in Live Arts’ production of Sweeney Todd, and though it’s OK in the Hamner’s small space, audiences may find her hard to hear when the show moves outdoors.

Still, the whole cast, including a bevy of handsome men, gives good performances, with nothing lacking.

The 2½-hour show generally moves quickly and has only one major flaw. The second act begins with one of Shakespeare’s comic scenes, when two bumbling watchmen and their leader catch the bad guys. Since the show is already lighthearted, there’s no need to try quite so hard to make what is already funny funnier, and toning down that scene would improve the show.

But the flaws, in the scheme of things, are minor, and the show is generally good fun and a good bargain to boot, with outdoor scenery that’s hard to beat.

———————————————————

“Much Ado About Nothing”
Thieving Magpie Productions
7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Hamner Theater; 7 p.m. Saturday at Cardinal Point Vineyards. (Rain site: Hamner Theater)
Runs through July 12
$10, $5 children younger than 10; $5 for all tickets on Saturday for “$5 Fourth”
http://www.thehamner theater.com
361-1999