“Much Ado About Nothing has always had a special place in my heart and it’s such a great comedy for the summer, so we want everyone to experience that,” Eleanor Thornton tells us.
The director of Oxford Theatre Guild‘s summer offering in Oxford’s University Parks has set the classic Shakespeare play in the modern day at a garden party where Claudio and Hero, and Benedick and Beatrice”s much thwarted romance blossoms despite the trickery and treachery of baddie Don John.
“Much Ado About Nothing is my favourite Shakespeare play because it’s such a rowdy and fun escapist comedy. So I wanted to keep it really light-hearted, but set it in the modern day,” Eleanor explains.
‘Much Ado About Nothing is my favourite Shakespeare play because it’s such a rowdy and fun escapist comedy’
“And by performing it at University Parks, framed by the great trees, it really lends itself to that garden party vibe, where the nonsense and gossiping allows Shakespeare to poke fun at the higher classes.
“So it’s more like a flirty rom-com and we just want everyone to come along and have a great time,” Eleanor adds.
‘We just want everyone to see it and enjoy some light-hearted summer fun’
“You can also bring a picnic, enjoy the bar and refreshments and sit amidst the action.
As for the 15 strong cast, Eleanor says: “Their energy and chemistry is absolutely amazing, so Much Ado About Nothing is a real ensemble piece of Shakespearean characters and camaraderie. Everyone has worked so hard to make it happen so we’re really looking forward to opening on Tuesday.
“Shakespeare is so timeless and I feel privileged to be bringing Much Ado About Nothing to Oxford, where there is so much great open air theatre about.”
“We just want everyone to see it and enjoy some light-hearted summer fun,” Eleanor adds.
OTG’s Much Ado Abut Nothing runs at Oxford University Parks from Tuesday July 16-27. Book here https://www.ticketsoxford.com/events/much-ado-about-nothing
