Reviews
Cathy Symes on Much Ado About Nothing for Left Lion 16.07.23
Phil Lowe @ East Midlands Theatre on Much Ado About Nothing 08.07.23
Phil Lowe @ East Midlands Theatre on Much Ado About Nothing 08.07.23
" The Nottingham Shakespeare Company’s free production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing” was a joy to behold..."
"... good acting, and the delivery of lucid lines. The Nottingham Shakespeare company production gave me all of this and more. "
"a performance that fully engaged and entertained. "
"Don John, played by Bronwyn K Crooks who provided a brilliant show of bad-tempered duplicity that would have found a home in any episode of Succession. Michelle-Louise Wright (also the director) played Don Pedro, and skilfully led us through the story... Christopher Collins delivered a commanding Benedick. The outstanding player in my book was Jonathan Mansfield as Borachio. Funny, engaging and a convincingly mischievous drunk. Grace Deavall was enticing as Hero and Alistair Fiori – Mcphee as Claudio (also the assistant director) was at his best when he was angry. "
" a funny and touching production "
" Afternoon walkers surprised and delighted at coming across the play, stopped and stayed. "
" ...this free and joyful production of Shakespeare felt almost subversive. Not only that, but it was really good. This is a company that is well worth supporting ... "
Phil Lowe @ East Midlands Theatre on Much Ado About Nothing 08.07.23
Phil Lowe @ East Midlands Theatre on Much Ado About Nothing 08.07.23
Phil Lowe @ East Midlands Theatre on Much Ado About Nothing 08.07.23
“amusing and energetic production”
“Bronwyn K Crooks is fiercely haughty as the dangerous and manipulative Don John”
“Wright … directs this production with great creative verve and fluidity”
“There is a fair degree of direct connection with more than willing audience members too. We love it.”
“Benedick (Christopher Collins) and Beatrice (Emma Carlton) are superbly done and the enjoyment is in the actors being natural and eloquent in their playing and their playfulness.”
“a pleasant mix of naturalism, serious drama and comic nonsense”
“Alistair Fiori- McPhee takes us on his own sweet and sympathetic journey as the lovelorn gesturing Claudio and Grace Deavall is grace itself as the lovable Hero”
“The night-watch – Kasia Cichocka, Emma Carlton, and Bronwyn K. Crooks, are hilarious”
“very entertaining”
“Richard Young adds requisite seriousness to the piece as the older Leonato.”
Kev Castle on Much Ado About Nothing 02.07.23
Phil Lowe @ East Midlands Theatre on Much Ado About Nothing 08.07.23
Kev Castle on Much Ado About Nothing 02.07.23
“when you have a cast so in tune with the great man's plays, you just can't go wrong where entertainment value is concerned. They break down barriers of snobbery”
“A stellar cast who know how to extract every drop of comedy from the script and then magnify it.”
“Every time I see anything by the NSC, I know that the direction will be as sharp as the acting and as pacy and as fresh.”
“the play is in the hands of people who love what they do and understand the Bard so as to deliver an entertaining production”
“You will not be disappointed, believe me”
Much Ado About Nothing ANNOUNCEMENT
Summer Season 2023 Announced
Nottingham Shakespeare Company is delighted to announce a free 90-minute open-air production of Much Ado About Nothing, set to take place in outdoor venues around Nottinghamshire between 2nd and 15th July. Two exciting encore performances are planned for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s open-air theatre programme The Dell, in the Bard’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon, on Sunday, 20th August. Following last year’s successful productions of The Winter’s Tale and The Comedy of Errors, this free theatrical experience promises to captivate audiences of all ages with its laughter, romance, and mischief.
A Romantic Comedy with Old & New Faces
Much Ado About Nothing is a delightful tale of mistaken identities, romantic misunderstandings, and uproarious antics. Set in the Italian town of Messina, the play follows two pairs of lovers. Emma Carlton and Christopher Collins, familiar to audiences from last year’s The Comedy of Errors, return to the company as Beatrice and Benedick, who tear into each other with witty banter while denying their affection for each other. Hero and Claudio, young lovers facing obstacles on their path to marriage, are played by newcomer Grace Deavall and Assistant Director Alastair Fiori-McPhee (see photo below), another familiar face to NSC audiences. Amidst a whirlwind of gossip and trickery, the two pairs of lovers navigate the complexities of love, loyalty, and deception.
"Will it serve for any model to build mischief on?"
Bronwyn K. Crooks joins the company as the villainous Don John, whose schemes and machinations threaten to derail the happy ending. She is joined by company regulars Jonathan Mansfield as henchman Borachio, and Richard Young as Hero’s father, Leonato. The superb cast is rounded out by the experienced actors Kasia Cichocka and Toni Sherwood-Pearce.
A Fresh Perspective
Under the direction of Michelle-Louise Wright, Nottingham Shakespeare Company creates an immersive theatrical experience that appeals to both seasoned Shakespeare enthusiasts and newcomers to his works. Wright, known for her bold approach to Shakespeare, is committed to bringing a fresh perspective to the production while staying true to the spirit of the original text.
"Stellar Talent"
Wright expresses her excitement about the upcoming production of what she calls “the original rom-com”, stating, “Our ensemble is stuffed full of stellar talent with new faces and old favourites giving amazing performances all round. Every rehearsal has me in stitches or welling up with tears in equal measure. So, if you want to hoot with laughter as Dogberry leads the inept watchmen, feel a chill up your spine as Don John plots his revenge, sigh as Claudio and Hero fall in love, and roar with joy as Beatrice puts cocky Benedick in his place – you can’t get better than Much Ado About Nothing, in the summer sunshine, in and around Nottingham this July!”
Accessible and Engaging
Nottingham Shakespeare Company is dedicated to producing high-quality productions of Shakespeare's works. The company strives to make theatre accessible and engaging for diverse audiences, particularly those new to – and perhaps reluctant to embrace – Shakespeare. Through performances, workshops, and outreach programmes, they aim to foster a love for Shakespeare in the community.
(Image right: Alastair Fiori-McPhee and Grace Deavall as Claudio & Hero
Image below: Grace Deavall & Emma Carlton)
Images: Derek McAllister https://www.derekmcallisterphotography.co.uk/
Full List of Dates
Sunday 2nd July 2pm - Bulwell Arts Festival, Bulwell Forest Garden
Thursday 6th July 7pm - St Stephen’s Churchyard, Sneinton
Friday 7th July 7pm - St John’s Churchyard, Carrington
Saturday 8th July 2pm - Ruddington Green
Saturday 8th July 7pm - Sneinton Market Avenues
Weds 12th July 7pm - St John’s Churchyard, Beeston
Thurs 13th July 7pm - Robin Hood Statue, Nottingham City Centre
Fri 14th July 7pm - Newark Castle
Saturday 15th July 2pm & 7pm - Victoria Embankment Bandstand
Sunday 20th August 12noon & 3pm - The Dell, Stratford-upon-Avon
Bonus rehearsal shots (Credit: John Smalley @ Vapour Trail Photography)
Reviews
Cathy Symes on Much Ado About Nothing for Left Lion 16.07.23
Phil Lowe @ East Midlands Theatre on Much Ado About Nothing 08.07.23
Phil Lowe @ East Midlands Theatre on Much Ado About Nothing 08.07.23
" The Nottingham Shakespeare Company’s free production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing” was a joy to behold..."
"... good acting, and the delivery of lucid lines. The Nottingham Shakespeare company production gave me all of this and more. "
"a performance that fully engaged and entertained. "
"Don John, played by Bronwyn K Crooks who provided a brilliant show of bad-tempered duplicity that would have found a home in any episode of Succession. Michelle-Louise Wright (also the director) played Don Pedro, and skilfully led us through the story... Christopher Collins delivered a commanding Benedick. The outstanding player in my book was Jonathan Mansfield as Borachio. Funny, engaging and a convincingly mischievous drunk. Grace Deavall was enticing as Hero and Alistair Fiori – Mcphee as Claudio (also the assistant director) was at his best when he was angry. "
" a funny and touching production "
" Afternoon walkers surprised and delighted at coming across the play, stopped and stayed. "
" ...this free and joyful production of Shakespeare felt almost subversive. Not only that, but it was really good. This is a company that is well worth supporting ... "
Phil Lowe @ East Midlands Theatre on Much Ado About Nothing 08.07.23
Phil Lowe @ East Midlands Theatre on Much Ado About Nothing 08.07.23
Phil Lowe @ East Midlands Theatre on Much Ado About Nothing 08.07.23
“amusing and energetic production”
“Bronwyn K Crooks is fiercely haughty as the dangerous and manipulative Don John”
“Wright … directs this production with great creative verve and fluidity”
“There is a fair degree of direct connection with more than willing audience members too. We love it.”
“Benedick (Christopher Collins) and Beatrice (Emma Carlton) are superbly done and the enjoyment is in the actors being natural and eloquent in their playing and their playfulness.”
“a pleasant mix of naturalism, serious drama and comic nonsense”
“Alistair Fiori- McPhee takes us on his own sweet and sympathetic journey as the lovelorn gesturing Claudio and Grace Deavall is grace itself as the lovable Hero”
“The night-watch – Kasia Cichocka, Emma Carlton, and Bronwyn K. Crooks, are hilarious”
“very entertaining”
“Richard Young adds requisite seriousness to the piece as the older Leonato.”
Kev Castle on Much Ado About Nothing 02.07.23
Phil Lowe @ East Midlands Theatre on Much Ado About Nothing 08.07.23
Kev Castle on Much Ado About Nothing 02.07.23
“when you have a cast so in tune with the great man's plays, you just can't go wrong where entertainment value is concerned. They break down barriers of snobbery”
“A stellar cast who know how to extract every drop of comedy from the script and then magnify it.”
“Every time I see anything by the NSC, I know that the direction will be as sharp as the acting and as pacy and as fresh.”
“the play is in the hands of people who love what they do and understand the Bard so as to deliver an entertaining production”
“You will not be disappointed, believe me”
Kev Castle on Macbeth 06.05.23
Katie Wallace on The Winter's Tale for nottinghamlive.co.uk 03.03.23
Kev Castle on Much Ado About Nothing 02.07.23
"You can tell the love these actors have of Shakespeare by the ease that they deliver and portray (the characters)"
"hypnotic"
"unnerving"
"energy and passion"
Katie Wallace on The Winter's Tale for nottinghamlive.co.uk 03.03.23
Katie Wallace on The Winter's Tale for nottinghamlive.co.uk 03.03.23
Katie Wallace on The Winter's Tale for nottinghamlive.co.uk 03.03.23
"The performances remain the focal point ... and are all the more impressive for it. This version ... celebrates Shakespeare, goes back to basics, and absolutely nails it. "
" captivating "
"fearless ... bold and unapologetic"
"strength and tenderness"
Kev Castle on The Comedy of Errors 14.07.22
Katie Wallace on The Winter's Tale for nottinghamlive.co.uk 03.03.23
Katie Wallace on The Winter's Tale for nottinghamlive.co.uk 03.03.23
"all involved were on top form"
"breathtakingly good"
"great fun"
PRESS RELEASE 01.08.2023 THE RAIN IT RAINETH EVERY DAY
SUMMER SHAKESPEARE SOAKED BUT UNSTOPPABLE
With parts of the UK seeing a month’s rainfall in one day in July, open-air events are being hit hard but Nottingham Shakespeare Company are fighting back!
NSC are returning to Newark with a surprise one-off performance of their acclaimed Much Ado About Nothing on Thursday August 17th, 2023, at Riverside Park. As Producer, Rachel Pillsbury, explains, “We wanted to give everyone in Newark a second chance to enjoy quality, accessible Shakespeare!” Much Ado About Nothinghas recieved 4*s from East Midlands Theatre, calling it “superbly done”, “hilarious” and “very entertaining” with Notts culture champions, LeftLion, describing it as “a joy to behold.” So the wider audience in Newark are in for a treat.
On 14th July, the Company was hit by the day’s foul weather, with heavy rain falling continuously from 6am until the evening performance which nonetheless went ahead to a hardcore audience of dedicated Shakespeare fans and much applause. “NSC will always perform, rain or shine!” Rachel promises, “We love it too much not to.”
For a Fringe company like NSC, that survive on donations from those that can afford it, a rainy summer is a potential disaster. “That’s the only problem with providing this for free;” says Rachel, “…if people haven’t bought tickets, they’re much less likely to get their ponchos and umbrellas out than if they were attending something that cost £25 a head! For us though, it’s vitally important everyone has the chance to discover and experience Shakespeare, even if that means the company is taking a big risk.” In the current economic crisis, as LeftLion boldly state, “with arts funding … in crisis and the cost of theatre tickets prohibitive for so many, this free and joyful production of Shakespeare felt almost subversive. (Not only that, but it was really good.)”
Directed by Michelle-Louise Wright who “directs this production with great creative verve and fluidity” and starring Christopher Collins as a “commanding” Benedick, Emma Carlton – “natural and eloquent” as Beatrice, Alastair Fiori-McPhee’s “sweet and sympathetic” Claudio, and Grace Deavall, making her NSC debut, as an “enticing” Hero who is “grace itself”, Much Ado About Nothing is a wildly witty romantic comedy which still challenges audiences with its account of patriarchy and power.
The final summer performances are Thursday 17thAugust at 7pm at Riverside Park, Great North Road, Newark NG24 1BN and on Sunday 30th August at 12 noon and 3pm in The Dell Open Air Theatre, Avonbank Gardens, Stratford upon Avon. For more information, please visit nottinghamshakespeare.co.uk.
For rehearsal and promotional images please visit: https://tinyurl.com/NSCJul2023Press
All photographic imagery credits Derek McAllister (https://www.derekmcallisterphotography.co.uk/)
Any queries or further information requests to PR@nottinghamshakespeare.co.uk
PRESS RELEASE 01.08.2023 THE RAIN IT RAINETH EVERY DAY
SUMMER SHAKESPEARE SOAKED BUT UNSTOPPABLE
With parts of the UK seeing a month’s rainfall in one day in July, open-air events are being hit hard but Nottingham Shakespeare Company are fighting back!
NSC are returning to Newark with a surprise one-off performance of their acclaimed Much Ado About Nothing on Thursday August 17th, 2023, at Riverside Park. As Producer, Rachel Pillsbury, explains, “We wanted to give everyone in Newark a second chance to enjoy quality, accessible Shakespeare!” Much Ado About Nothinghas recieved 4*s from East Midlands Theatre, calling it “superbly done”, “hilarious” and “very entertaining” with Notts culture champions, LeftLion, describing it as “a joy to behold.” So the wider audience in Newark are in for a treat.
On 14th July, the Company was hit by the day’s foul weather, with heavy rain falling continuously from 6am until the evening performance which nonetheless went ahead to a hardcore audience of dedicated Shakespeare fans and much applause. “NSC will always perform, rain or shine!” Rachel promises, “We love it too much not to.”
For a Fringe company like NSC, that survive on donations from those that can afford it, a rainy summer is a potential disaster. “That’s the only problem with providing this for free;” says Rachel, “…if people haven’t bought tickets, they’re much less likely to get their ponchos and umbrellas out than if they were attending something that cost £25 a head! For us though, it’s vitally important everyone has the chance to discover and experience Shakespeare, even if that means the company is taking a big risk.” In the current economic crisis, as LeftLion boldly state, “with arts funding … in crisis and the cost of theatre tickets prohibitive for so many, this free and joyful production of Shakespeare felt almost subversive. (Not only that, but it was really good.)”
Directed by Michelle-Louise Wright who “directs this production with great creative verve and fluidity” and starring Christopher Collins as a “commanding” Benedick, Emma Carlton – “natural and eloquent” as Beatrice, Alastair Fiori-McPhee’s “sweet and sympathetic” Claudio, and Grace Deavall, making her NSC debut, as an “enticing” Hero who is “grace itself”, Much Ado About Nothing is a wildly witty romantic comedy which still challenges audiences with its account of patriarchy and power.
The final summer performances are Thursday 17thAugust at 7pm at Riverside Park, Great North Road, Newark NG24 1BN and on Sunday 30th August at 12 noon and 3pm in The Dell Open Air Theatre, Avonbank Gardens, Stratford upon Avon. For more information, please visit nottinghamshakespeare.co.uk.
For rehearsal and promotional images please visit: https://tinyurl.com/NSCJul2023Press
All photographic imagery credits Derek McAllister (https://www.derekmcallisterphotography.co.uk/)
Any queries or further information requests to PR@nottinghamshakespeare.co.uk