Press Reviews – Much Ado About Nothing
SURREY ADVERTISER - 14/07/2006
BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE – 07/07/2006
SURREY MIRROR – 20/07/2006
SURREY ADVERTISER - 14/07/2006
Much Ado for new Shakespeare company
With the thunder clouds having passed and the sun making its first appearance of the day, I was pleased to be attending our town’s own open-air production of Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.
Beautifully set in Guildford Castle’s grounds and performed by the newly established Guildford Shakespeare Company, this proved to be a winning formula.
It was our first introduction to the company, created by two Guildford based actors – Sarah Gobran and Matt Pinches – who play Beatrice and Benedick respectively.
Created with the aim of providing the people of Guildford and its surrounds with an accessible, engaging and exciting look at Shakespeare’s works.
This production of Much Ado About Nothing was brought to us by a modest but very talented group of experienced and passionate actors, who complemented the bubbly and cheery setting of the play in 1920’s post-war England.
As with many of the bard’s plays, the plot centred around a couple of lovers, a bit of skulduggery and a misunderstanding thrown in for good measure – all of which was executed with amazing energy and humour.
Directing the play was Russ Tunney who was able, not only to provide us with an adapted production of Shakespeare, but also to engage the audience and use the surroundings to great effect.
There were cast members running around behind the audience – some even wearing diving flippers – which added to the, at times, quirky nature of the play.
Although in the wedding scene the distant sound of the town’s church bells fittingly began to ring (that, surely, even the director could not have had control over), the ringing re-affirmed the unique qualities of an open-air setting.
Showing until tomorrow (Saturday) at 7pm, this is a performance anyone can enjoy – and, hence, Guildford’s Shakespeare Company has achieved its aim.
Review by Emma Cook
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BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE – 07/07/2006
This new company has been created by two local actors, Matt Pinches and his partner Sarah Gobran, who aim to make Shakespeare “exciting, engaging and accessible whilst remaining faithful to the original works”. The ten-strong cast of this dedicated and hardworking team have certainly achieved their aim with their inaugural production, a light-hearted frolic perfectly suited to the enchanting open-air setting and they provide an evening of total enjoyment.
The play is set in the twenties - a time of flappers, the Charleston, and what was then thought of as licentious behaviour - but Shakespeare understood the human heart better than anyone before or since and this play is full of sexual innuendo as well as deceit, trickery, and slanderous allegations. The deeper you look in his plays the more you will find.
This production does not delve. It has decided to be fast and furious fun and so it is, especially in their ‘chase’ sequences (complete with appropriate music) very reminiscent of the Keystone Cops silent films. The story, of course, concerns two pairs of lovers. Claudio and Hero are to be wed but (here’s where the slanderous allegations come in) Claudio is tricked into believing that his love is unchaste and shames her at their intended wedding. I have always thought Claudio to be a bit of a wimp – he falls in love, but wants to be sure that his love is an heiress, and he even gets someone else to propose for him. Then, believing that Hero has died, he agrees to marry another – but she should bring money too. I can’t think why Hero would want him! Simon Lee Phillips plays Claudio exactly as I would expect him to be – part dreamily idealistic, part conscious of practicalities (money), and full of wounded pride and indignation when he believes his ‘paragon’ is not so perfect.
Trudi Jackson’s Hero is a gem. Appearing first as a glamorous fun-loving flapper happily overdoing the champagne, she changes amazingly when she doubles as a member of the Watch – rough, uncouth, with flies undone and scratching in places we won’t mention.
Matt Pinches is the comic turn of the evening, playing Benedick as a slightly camp flying officer of the period.. With a face as mobile as that of Rowan Atkinson, his every expression (especially when he ‘overhears’ that Beatrice loves him) is a joy, and when he dons a dress for the masque he would be totally convincing as a woman – if it wasn’t for the moustache!
The bandstand, in and around which the company perform, makes a versatile stage, and they also use a large amount of the surrounding area. Father Francis (Jeremy Worsnip who also double as Dogberry of the Watch) arrives on a bicycle, and Gobran’s Beatrice shows her annoyance as she storms in from afar, “Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner”, and is rather taken aback when she receives a pleasant response. A bossy lady, this Beatrice, with no intention of being subservient to a man, and it is a nice touch which dresses her in top hat and tails at the masque while Benedick is in female attire. This bickering couple argue to the finish, even when wed, with Gobran having most of the fast and witty dialogue. Their marriage will not be boring!
A mention too for Becci Gemmell’s supporting performance as Hero’s nonchalant maid Margaret, and also as Verges of the watch.
The whole cast performed with energy, enthusiasm and expertise, providing an evening of pure pleasure! Take a picnic – and enjoy!
Review by Sheila Connor
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SURREY MIRROR – 20/07/2006
GUILDFORD-BASED actors Sarah Gobran and Matt Pinches felt that, although the town already had a strong artistic base, it needed one further vital ingredient - a professional open air theatre company of its own. Given the founders' passion for the Bard and the likely emphasis of the repertoire, the name wasn't difficult to choose. The venue for the inaugural play - the Castle Grounds - a short stroll from the town centre, yet with an almost rural atmosphere, was almost as obvious. And so, the Guildford Shakespeare Company was born.
Sarah and Matt are adamant that Shakespeare should not be exclusive or old-fashioned but relevant and accessible. Certainly, their first production went a long way towards proving their point. Too often, when these works are given the modern treatment, the words seem strangely out of keeping with the period chosen. Not so in this case. There seemed to be nothing incongruous about the 1920s setting, whilst the production stayed loyal to the original text. Credit for this success should be shared by all concerned - director Russ Tunney and the 10 ever-lively players - all but one in their twenties or early thirties. There was a commitment and energy that's not always apparent when Shakespeare is played with too much reverence.
This was very much a team effort, in which most of the performers somehow managed to take on multiple roles. Jeremy Worsnip, for example, switched effortlessly from playing the earnest Father Francis to the asinine Dogberry, whilst Becci Gemmell barely had time to leave the stage as lady's maid Margaret before she reappeared as Verges, the Constable's bumpkin assistant.
Trudi Jackson brought vivacity to Hero - as well as showing notable Charleston-style dancing skills. David Hey implied Don John's evil intentions in his tones, stance and subtle yet effective sour expressions.
It was, perhaps, natural, that the two people behind the venture should play the will-they-won't-they get together lovers, Beatrice and Benedick - roles to which they brought their own chemistry.
An encouragingly good audience on the opening night was followed by sellout houses later in the first week. The company has made a good start with its mission to prove that Shakespeare is for all.
Reviewed by Tony Flook
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