Titchfield gives Shakespeare’s Much Ado an Armistice 100th anniversary twist

Much Ado About Nothing is one of William Shakespeare’s most performed plays and this month the popular comedy returns to Titchfield Festival Theatre’s Great Barn to close the 2018 Bard at the Barn season.

This month marks the 100th anniversary of the Advance to Victory in August 1918, a crucial turning point in history which led to the Armistice and hastened the end of the war. In Much Ado, the Prince and his entourage are returning home from the conflict, a time of joy as well as reflection. Actors will perform in period dress and the play will feature music of the early twentieth century. The Theatre wishes to thank the Royal British Legion who has provided some information which will be on display. Collection boxes will be present to enable patrons to make donations to the Legion at each performance.

The play’s Director, Emma Bevan, is directing Much Ado for the first time and explains her passion for the history of the period, the strong characters as well as Shakespeare’s comedic masterpiece:

“Much Ado is typical Shakespeare at his best; it is good fun, there is love, romance and of course some characters in disguise. The play is an extremely visual comedy, which means that it is easy to follow as well as enabling the audience to appreciate the witty and rich dialogue, written in such beautiful prose. The play also has a strong female character too in Beatrice, whom I admire. She is clearly ahead of her time, a young woman looking to make her way in the world; however, as well as maintaining her independence she still wants to fall in love and get married. I am sure many of us will identify with Beatrice in today’s modern world.”

Titchfield Festival Theatre says it has chosen the play which will appeal to lovers of the Bard’s works, as it is also an excellent choice for patrons who may not have seen a Shakespeare play for a long time.

Emma added:“I hope that in setting this play at a time of hope and looking forward, we have stayed true to the dark edge of this comedy as it is still as funny, giddy and delightful as Shakespeare intended.”

Much Ado About Nothing opens on Tuesday 28 August and continues until Thursday 6 September, starting at 7.30pm in the Great Barn, Mill Lane, Titchfield PO15 5RB. The Sunday matinee performance is on Sunday 2 September at 2.30pm. Please note there are no performances on Friday and Saturday.

For more information, please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/or contact our Box Office on 01329 556156.