Cappies Review: Much Ado About Nothing at South County High School

By Alden Walcott of Langley High School

What do you get when you cross a Shakespearean comedy with a 1970s disco? An instant classic. There is definitely much to praise about the South County High School production of Much Ado About Nothing.

Much Ado About Nothing is one of William Shakespeare's most famous comedies, first published in 1598. It tells the story of two romantic partnerships that emerge when an army led by Don Pedro arrives in town after a battlefield success. Count Claudio and town leader (and in this production, disco owner) Leonata's daughter, Hero, fall in love and plan to marry, while Leonata's niece, Beatrice, and Claudio's friend Benedick supply much of the witty comedic banter as they are each tricked into believing that the other has fallen in love with them before ultimately realizing they do love each other. The play has seen adaptations of every sort, but South County's ensemble updated the classic with relatable 1970s music and costuming. The cast's acting choices ensured that a modern audience could understand the dialogue and comedy of the piece.

Each actor captured the essence of the comedic world Shakespeare intended. Benedick (Parker Bryant) commanded the show from the very beginning. His strong portrayal of his character's obstinance and his comedic timing allowed the audience to understand the original Shakespearean dialogue, and to root for Benedick along his journey. Bryant's bold physical comedic choices, as well as his vocal inflections, brought the comedy to life.

Beatrice's (Caprice Aspland) commitment to her character matched her co-star's energy. She had many strong moments that challenged Benedick's intentions throughout every scene, which drove the plot. The witty comedic repartee between these two characters brought the light-hearted energy of the 1970s into the show and successfully interpreted Shakespeare for a modern audience.

The scene stealing Borachio (Zach Smith) and villainous Don John (Noah Pflugrath) used the entirety of the stage in performing their comedic scenes. Smith's comedic timing and facial expressions brought reliable humor to every scene, while Pflugrath's Don John was an intensely frustrated, yet humorous foil for the love story between Hero and Claudio, creating an atmosphere that drew the audience in.

The only way to fully travel back in time to the 1970s is through the costumes (led by Dexter Burris, Shika Kumar, Rebecca Stroh, and Sophia Uriostegui) and set design (led by Andrew Beasley, Natalie Beasley, Adrian Jin, and Matthew Walsh). Each component used in this show was creative and demonstrated a consistent vision for the world the characters inhabited. The costumes transported audiences to the 1970s through the use of bright patterns representing each character's personality. The costumes also frequently demonstrated the relationships between the characters, such as the headpiece Beatrice wore nearly matching the shirt Benedick was wearing, symbolizing the connection that would grow throughout the play as they found themselves progressively falling for each other. The multi-level set, a 1970s disco, allowed for captivating musical numbers and visual interest.

The same care could also clearly be seen in the lighting (led by Phil Gigrich, Leah Lewis, and Natalie Mitchell). The lights would frequently dim to create a more intimate atmosphere, and spotlights were also used in perfect timing with the scene. The props (led by Andrew Beasley and Natalie Beasley) were another highlight, carefully chosen both to highlight the physical comedy and create a 1970s feel.

South County High School has staged a vibrant, fresh look at a Shakespearean classic, which left audiences laughing along. It's a must-see re-imagining for anyone who has ever wondered what would happen if Shakespeare was performed under a disco ball.