Much Ado

[kathyh]

Finally, after booking in January, it was time to go and see David Tennant and Catherine Tate in "Much Ado About Nothing". I've seen Catherine Tate on stage before twice now but not David Tennant...and he did not disappoint. "Much Ado About Nothing" is the first Shakespeare play I ever saw and I am very fond of it. It's obviously considered to be a

Comments

[curiouswombat]

The sight of David Tennant in a blonde wig, black lace leggings, what looked like a purple lace body stocking, short denim skirt and scarlet short boots will live with me for a long time.

Me too - and I haven't even seen it!

[kathyh]

And that's without me mentioning the black sequinned top he wore over the purple body stocking and the scarlet garter he used to tuck his cigarette packet into!

[shapinglight]

Sounds wonderful. I would like to see DT on stage.

[kathyh]

He's really worth it. He lit up the stage when he was on it and had the audience in stitches.

[espresso_addict]

I love Much Ado but I find it hard to imagine done straight in a 1980s setting. As I recall the (excellent) Shakespeare Retold version changed the Hero/Claudio subplot a lot while leaving the main plot basically untouched. And now I'm trying to recall which was my first live Shakespeare. Probably Twelfth Night, my O'level play.

[kathyh]

If I was trying to choose a play to introduce someone to Shakespeare that's probably the other one I'd pick.

I loved that Shakespeare Retold. I've got them on DVD somewhere and must rewatch.

The 80s setting worked pretty well for me most of the time. They did manage to make the Claudio mistaking Margaret for Hero work by having it set in a dark and smoky disco. What never works for me is the emotional reactions of all the men (except) Benedick afterwards.

[ljs]

Oh, how delightful! :-)

I've never seen CT on stage (DT twice, when he was but a wee RSC player), and I'd like to.

[hugs]

[kathyh]

This was actually the most raucously funny I've seen her be on stage. The other plays I saw her in were more bittersweet, though having said that "Seasons Greetings" did have a hilarious attempted seduction scene in it.

DT as a wee RSC player must have been delightful :)

Many hugs back.

[lilachigh]

So glad you liked it. I did too and can't wait to go again.

[kathyh]

We really loved it, as did the rest of the audience, judging by the ecstatic applause. It was such a lively fun production it would have been hard not to love it, but David Tennant's acting did make it particularly special.

I'm so glad you managed to go :)