Much Ado About Nothing: A Review

The name of the company is The Northeast Shakespeare Ensemble

http://nesetheatre.org

I was surprised to hear so much negativity directed towards the NorthEast Shakespeare Ensemble's production of "Much Ado". Mr. Gardner, do you have a degree in Shakespearian Literature? Do you truly believe that you know the ins and outs of Shakespeare better than those around you? And do you deny the director of this show, or any other show, creative liberties? Next time, perhaps you should at least attempt to find the positives. You owe that to the many talented people involved in the production, regardless of whether or not you agree with their interpretations. I hope that others judge you more kindly than you judge them... Though you may not deserve it.

I saw Much Ado on Saturday, June 21st. Mr. Gardner's comments are accurate and warranted. He would have written positive remarks had the show deserved such praise. It did not. It is my understanding that Mr. Gardner is a well informed theatre critic and practitioner (actor, director, etc). Before questioning his credentials, take the time to read his many reviews for theatre throughout New England!

although this was not a great production, i did like more things than the reviewer. i lol'd a few times. also, lots of hot guys in the cast :)
overall: C+

Having reviewed theater for publications that insisted on the "positive," I find it refreshing that your reviewer can be upfront with his perceptions. The piece is scathing, but it's well-expressed, whether or not you agree with him. And hats off to NHPR for airing it.

Kevin Gardner's review of the NESE production of "Much Ado About Nothing" reflects the pernicious game of "Gotcha" that is becoming routine in American life. We're all superior judges who can find flaws in everything. If you want to go to professional theatre, why bother with local productions that provide the pleasure of direct experience with live actors rather than lazy TV watching? Imagine being exposed to others in a local audience -- and the ability to talk to a stranger in intermission!! Mr. Gardner must find that offensive, because when I saw the play, everyone was laughing -- and most left the theatre with smiles on their faces, The bottom line is that we are exceptionally fortunate to live in the Upper Valley: a beautiful environment, outstanding recreational opportunities, a wide variety of cultural choices, excellent public radio, and a world class hospital (where a brilliant surgeon saved my life in 1999). When one is lucky to be alive, every day’s a miracle to be enjoyed.

Roger Masters, Dept. of Government (retired), Dartmouth College

Roger, congratulations on your survival. Puts things in perspective. However, there is still a thing called "bad theatre". And it is not a reviewer's job to determine if a play is popular, but GOOD! Many of the folks who left the theater with "smiles" may also like those popular TV shows you so dislike. The show was bad, regardless.

I personally agree wih Rob people may be there only to deliver the popularity count but do not always potray tthe best in terms of quality !

Unlike your dyspeptic critic, I very much liked the verve and flavor of the Northeast Shakespeare Ensemble's production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Dee Nelson’s spunky Beatrice and Milan Dragicevich’s wired Benedick trade verbal jabs like sparring partners until they melt with love, but even then—in one of the night’s most powerful moments-- Nelson keeps the upper hand (literally) while driving Benedick to prove his loyalty to her. Elsewhere there is more to admire. Heather Murdock’s Hero is both winningly playful and convincingly stricken; As the masterfully semi-literate Dogberry, James Sears doggedly leads his men from one malapropism to another; the two chief eavesdropping scenes are adroitly staged for laughs and earn every one of them. This highly professional cast—including no less than a dozen members of Actor’s Equity—shows its strength even in minor roles. As a saucy, alluring Margaret, one of the waiting gentlewomen to Hero, Camille Troy nearly steals the scene every time she appears.
Whether or not you’ve ever seen MUCH ADO, you’ll enjoy this production. Pace Kevin Gardner, I recommend it warmly.
James Heffernan

I almost cancelled my plans to see Much Ado About Nothing based on this review. I'm glad I didn't. The play was funny, as it should have been. I think that the choice to play up the comedy and play down the villainy (or make it campy) was a good one. The last 2 Shakespeare plays I've seen, both in major markets, were done in a dark, modern, Fascist, miliaristic sort of way, and I certainly did not see the need to highlight to dark side of this play by the staging. I also think that the characters in this play are more ridiculous than dark, anyway. Adding physicality to Shakespeare is always helpful to understand 16th-17th century language (and is almost always done) and I thought the actors here did a fine job of it. I didn't have any problem with the set, but I agree that the costuming could have been better. Ultimately, I've seen bad Shakespeare, and Much Ado wasn't that, especially in a small market venue. I enjoyed the play, and walked out of the theater thinking that the reviewer and not the theater company, had made a mess of things.

Mr. Gardner's outrageously negative critique of the NESE performance in Lebanon was uncalled for. The opportunity for us in a rural community to attend a performance of Shakespeare and to enable our childen to experience such a play is a real treat. This play is a farce and was presented as such; oviously Mr. Gardner didn't understand this. By the way, we thought that the set was excellent.

After watching the production, I tried to describe to someone what made it so awful. I wish I had read this review before I had that conversation - I would have borrowed most of what he'd said. It seemed like a 1950's idea of what Shakespeare "should" be. Someone who decides to direct a play by Shakespeare should approach it as a play no one has ever seen before - not as a museum piece and certainly (God save us) not as "literature." It was written to be seen, not read. Please, someone save us from the notion of culture that is good for us. How about art that stimulates, provokes, entertains and . . . if it's not too much to ask . . . is minimally coherent.