Much Ado About Nothing Pt 2

Referring back to my previous post, I enjoyed the BYU production of Much Ado About Nothing. There was a quick scare when I was informed I couldn't get in because they'd sold my seat, but all worked out. They found a seat and I managed to get in! Here are a few differences between the HFAC production and one held at the globe theater:

1. The BYU version of the play was set in the 1940s. The dress, hairstyles, as well as music were all from that time period. The dialogue was maintained the same in this production however. It was slightly odd to have the actors referring to swords when they didn't quite fit the period.


2. The actors were on the ground level. They were not on a stage performing, they were more in the crowd. That is a bit different than the stage that was employed by the actors who performed in the globe theater.

 

3. The props for the BYU production were very sparse. Since the production did not have a stage, they were not able to set up props and scenery. The scene transitions relied mainly upon change of characters. The few props that were used were carried out and replaced by a few stagehands in the dark. This is very different from the Globe which was known for its amazing special effects. According to this site, "Special effects at the Globe were also a spectacular addition at the theater allowing for smoke effects, the firing of a real canon, fireworks (for dramatic battle scenes) and spectacular 'flying' entrances from the rigging in the 'heavens'" 

All in all however, this production stayed fairly true to Shakespeare's work. The story was unchanged in every other regard but time period, and the story still rang true even in a different setting. The fact that Shakespeare's plays can be taken and moved to a different time period, and yet retain the same power and story that they had originally is remarkable. It shows how well Shakespeare understood the human condition, and all of the struggles and joys that come with it.