Expect a Sicilian location, soldiers returning from WW2, a soundtrack featuring Glen Miller and Fats Waller, Oxford Castle as a backdrop, 1940s costumes, love, live music, tragedy, laughs aplenty, and a freshly trimmed script, and you’re in for a whale of a time at Much Ado About Nothing.
Yes, Wild Goose Theatre is back at Oxford Castle this summer as part of Oxford Shakespeare Festival and bringing the Bard’s popular comedy vibrantly to life.
‘it’s a joy performing at oxford castle in the open air in central Oxford. When it’s a balmy evening with the sun setting, enjoying Shakespeare, it’s a really special thing’
“The responsibility of putting on any Shakespeare in front of an audience is daunting and exciting at the same time. But our adaption of Much Ado About Nothing is fun and accessible, and that’s our commitment,” Wild Goose Theatre‘s Alex Nicholls explains.
“What you don’t want to do with Shakespeare is just scratch the surface – you have to get right into the centre of it. But every time you revisit it you find so much, because the story that Shakespeare tells is full of passion and drama – things can turn on a sixpence and suddenly flip on its head – and tragedy is always just around the corner,” Alex smiles.
‘80% of your success is down to your actors, so recruiting the right cast was paramount’
So how does Alex keep it fresh, considering Wild Goose Theatre has been at Oxford Castle every summer for 10 years? “Well Much Ado About Nothing is about soldiers returning from the war in the 1940s so we felt it appropriate to set the story in Sicily, which was a key island in WW2.”
At the heart of the story is the sparkling, razor-sharp banter between Beatrice and Benedick — two of Shakespeare’s most beloved sparring lovers — brought vividly to life with period flair and irresistible chemistry. Their verbal duels are punctuated with toe-tapping music, lively dance numbers, and all the glamour of wartime romance. Meanwhile, the darker plot of betrayal and mistaken identity weaves a dramatic thread through the revelry, culminating in a powerful confrontation that challenges hearts and minds alike.
Kicking off on July 7 and running until August 2, Alex says: “Of course being Shakespeare, he has to get his tragedy in there somewhere and always makes love slightly complicated, and that’s certainly the story here, but our adaption is really funny with some great situational comedy and upbeat music.
‘being Shakespeare, he has to get his tragedy in there somewhere and always makes love slightly complicated. but our adaption is also really funny with some great situational comedy’
So how are rehearsals coming along? “It’s looking good. I still get that buzz, and every production is different, but our Much Ado About Nothing is really funny. And as its two hours plus an interval, it means that you are after the meat, and get right to the bones of the plot.”
As for the cast, Alex adds: “80% of your success is down to your actors, so recruiting the right cast was paramount. The actors’ job is to get into the depths of the play so that the audience can understand and appreciate the story. Throw in dance, live music and an incredible soundtrack and it gives Much Ado About Nothing real verve,” he says.
“So we are really excited about bringing Much Ado About Nothing to Oxford Castle this summer. It’s a very different experience this time with lots of things you wouldn’t expect, so come along and enjoy Shakespeare in the open air.
“There’s nothing quite like it – a balmy evening with the sun setting, the audience enjoying Shakespeare, it’s a really special thing. And it’s a joy performing at Oxford Castle in the open air in central Oxford. It’s a natural amphitheatre with the right acoustics and the perfect backdrop with its natural mound setting, which bring a real dynamism and energy to the production.”
Much Ado About Nothing runs at Oxford Castle from July 7- August 2. Book at https://www.oxfordcastleandprison.co.uk/events/event/much-ado-about-nothing/
