My experience of this play goes back a few years. In 1993, I played Benedick in a small scale touring production of the play which was produced in a double bill with ‘Twelfth Night’. The director chose a setting of World War 2 where Messina became a small English village invaded by visiting American G.I’S. This concept worked really well as it gave the play a real social context and also allowed us to go full pelt with the comedy by having the watch become the home guard and our own version of ‘Dad’s Army’. The tour was quite tricky as almost everyone had dual roles in both plays (I only escaped as I was directing ‘Twelfth Night’, although I did play Curio at the beginning!). To help us we had famed Shakespearean actor/director, Kenneth Branagh. He was patron of the company and gave us tips on performing Shakespeare. I also got to spend the afternoon watching him edit his own big screen version of the play and see scenes a full six months before the general public! He was very generous with his time and his encouragement and this spurred the company on!
Jump forward ten years to 2003 and I found myself with the responsibility of directing a production that would open a brand new theatre. I chose ‘Much Ado About Nothing ‘and with stunning originality chose the same setting as ten years previous (I was married to the director of that first production at the time so she forgave me!). However, we had a bit more money and a larger cast so I explored the musical side of the play having the musical director play 1940’s romantic songs in between scenes and in them at some points! We also had a village square as a set along with hanging bunting and two large flags- the union jack and the stars and stripes.
Now, another decade has passed and ‘Much Ado ‘enters my life once again as I prepare to direct the play for Whole Hog. In order to remind me of the story, I went along to see the latest production staged at the Old Vic Theatre, London ... and wouldn’t you know it they chose to stage the play in small English village in the 1940’s with visiting American G.I.’s!
So, I can now come at the play afresh without the thought of‘We’ll Meet Again’ being sung at the end!