REVIEW
Southend Shakespeare Company presents
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
by William Shakespeare
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, Westcliff
25th-29th November 2025
Click Here for Tickets
Southend Shakespeare Company presents
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
by William Shakespeare
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, Westcliff
25th-29th November 2025
Click Here for Tickets
This production is very much ado about something
The play Much Ado about Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies. I have seen many productions over the years and have always enjoyed them. That is apart from one where octogenarians James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave played Beatrice and Benedict. That was a step too far. However, there are no problems with this excellent production by Southend Shakespeare Company.
The storyline revolves around the two lovers Beatrice and Benedict who won’t admit their love. There is a hint that something happened between them in the past and they still have feelings for each other.
Meanwhile, Don John, the Prince’s half-brother, feeling he is side-lined, sets up a plan to compromise Leonata’s daughter Hero ( Briony Evans). This will cause his brother consternation as her lover Claudio is the Prince’s friend. He wants her shamed so Claudio will reject her. In this production, Vanessa Osborn plays Hero’s mother, instead of the father as written. This gives an added nuance, as there is a hint that she would have a husband any time soon via the Prince (Andrew Sugden).
Much Ado requires the two protagonists, Beatrice and Benedict, to drive the play along with their witty barbs and comic timing. Elena Gleed and Matthew Willis as the lovelorn pair, certainly have some very funny moments hiding behind places, overhearing pretend conversations about themselves. Elena’s quick pointed delivery is a joy, sparks fly when she banters with Matthew Willis. Matthew in particular involved the audience with all his thoughts on never marrying, and the moment when he declared his love, and looked at the audience as if surprised was magic. The audience are so engaged in the relationship that when the ‘Kill Claudio’ line comes out they are shocked and laughed as if they couldn’t quite believe it.
The play darkens slightly after Hero has been disgraced and feigns death, whilst Claudio turns from a besotted lover to a jealous, nasty piece of work. He then accepts the offer of a lookalike Hero without a thought. This makes him rather an unlikeable character, but Alex Severne handled this thankless part with aplomb.
The two perpetrators of the disgrace Hero plan, Borachio and Conrade, are well played by Marius Clements and David Goodger. Marius even brought a touch of comedy to the part, taking out his stolen artefacts and combing his hair with a fork.
Of course, everyone waits for the comedy of the Night Watch, when this inept motley crew accidentally over hear the drunken men talking of the plan. They are led by the very funny Dogberry (James Carter) who misunderstands everything, takes every insult as praise and whose dialogue consists mainly of malapropisms. This ‘Ass’ is hysterically assisted by Madeleine Ayres, Malcolm Toll and Michael Clements.
This is a beautiful production, the costumes are extravagant and the staging delightful, both by James and Madeleine Carter. At first sight, the staging is breath-taking. It is incredible that such a set could be presented on the small Dixon Studio stage area.
This witty word play is full of wry humour, clever barbs, and slapstick and the SSC attacks it all with great gusto. The director Ian Downie must be very proud as the audience enjoyed every moment of it.
Tickets are selling fast so if you want to see this excellent production doesn’t waste any time in buying one.
Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The storyline revolves around the two lovers Beatrice and Benedict who won’t admit their love. There is a hint that something happened between them in the past and they still have feelings for each other.
Meanwhile, Don John, the Prince’s half-brother, feeling he is side-lined, sets up a plan to compromise Leonata’s daughter Hero ( Briony Evans). This will cause his brother consternation as her lover Claudio is the Prince’s friend. He wants her shamed so Claudio will reject her. In this production, Vanessa Osborn plays Hero’s mother, instead of the father as written. This gives an added nuance, as there is a hint that she would have a husband any time soon via the Prince (Andrew Sugden).
Much Ado requires the two protagonists, Beatrice and Benedict, to drive the play along with their witty barbs and comic timing. Elena Gleed and Matthew Willis as the lovelorn pair, certainly have some very funny moments hiding behind places, overhearing pretend conversations about themselves. Elena’s quick pointed delivery is a joy, sparks fly when she banters with Matthew Willis. Matthew in particular involved the audience with all his thoughts on never marrying, and the moment when he declared his love, and looked at the audience as if surprised was magic. The audience are so engaged in the relationship that when the ‘Kill Claudio’ line comes out they are shocked and laughed as if they couldn’t quite believe it.
The play darkens slightly after Hero has been disgraced and feigns death, whilst Claudio turns from a besotted lover to a jealous, nasty piece of work. He then accepts the offer of a lookalike Hero without a thought. This makes him rather an unlikeable character, but Alex Severne handled this thankless part with aplomb.
The two perpetrators of the disgrace Hero plan, Borachio and Conrade, are well played by Marius Clements and David Goodger. Marius even brought a touch of comedy to the part, taking out his stolen artefacts and combing his hair with a fork.
Of course, everyone waits for the comedy of the Night Watch, when this inept motley crew accidentally over hear the drunken men talking of the plan. They are led by the very funny Dogberry (James Carter) who misunderstands everything, takes every insult as praise and whose dialogue consists mainly of malapropisms. This ‘Ass’ is hysterically assisted by Madeleine Ayres, Malcolm Toll and Michael Clements.
This is a beautiful production, the costumes are extravagant and the staging delightful, both by James and Madeleine Carter. At first sight, the staging is breath-taking. It is incredible that such a set could be presented on the small Dixon Studio stage area.
This witty word play is full of wry humour, clever barbs, and slapstick and the SSC attacks it all with great gusto. The director Ian Downie must be very proud as the audience enjoyed every moment of it.
Tickets are selling fast so if you want to see this excellent production doesn’t waste any time in buying one.
Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s best loved comedies; full of humour, misunderstandings, love, deception and wonderful characters. Leonata welcomes home her friend Don Pedro, along with soldiers Claudio and Benedick. Claudio immediately falls in love with Leonata's daughter, Hero; but their happiness is threatened by the scheming of Don John, Don Pedro's illegitimate brother. Leonata, Don Pedro and Claudio trick Benedick into believing Beatrice (Hero’s cousin) loves him and a similar trick is played on Beatrice.
Add into this mix the inept local watch, headed by Dogberry and the possibilities are endless! Could there be a plot twist….will everything end happily?
For more information about the SSC visit their website and socials at
www.southendshakespeare.org.uk
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Add into this mix the inept local watch, headed by Dogberry and the possibilities are endless! Could there be a plot twist….will everything end happily?
For more information about the SSC visit their website and socials at
www.southendshakespeare.org.uk
CURTAIN CALL with Andrew Sugden from Leigh on Sea who plays Don Pedro
When did you start to take an interest in theatre? Did you take part in any productions at school?
Not at school no. I became interested through a friend in my early 20s , joined a group in Billericay and got my first part when the original cast member dropped out.
Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in drama?
Yes , my aunt and uncle first met when playing Miranda and Ferdinand in The Tempest.
Have you done any sort of formal training for acting/singing/dancing?
Yes briefly, at a stage school in Ilford many years ago. It wasn’t much help.
Do you have any specialist skills – anything from stilt walking to dress-making – which you work into your repertoire?
no
Which experience/role do you regard as the highlight of your amdram career to date?
There have been quite a few over the years. The memory of new productions often crowds out the old and the last show, The Dresser, was a highlight of recent years.
How do you earn your living?
I used to raise money for a London Housing Association to keep a large programme of new housing development in order.
Following on from the previous question, has your theatre career ever been useful in your day job, and/or have you ever drawn on your day job for any of your stage activities?
It’s very useful for public speaking and projection. Confidence is always helpful at work.
Are your friends mostly involved in theatre - perhaps even working with you on a regular basis - or do you socialise across a wider circle?
Mainly in theatre, it can be all consuming, and from work too.
Which actor do you most admire and why?
Roger Allam for some cracking Shakespearean roles amongst many other performances.
Not at school no. I became interested through a friend in my early 20s , joined a group in Billericay and got my first part when the original cast member dropped out.
Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in drama?
Yes , my aunt and uncle first met when playing Miranda and Ferdinand in The Tempest.
Have you done any sort of formal training for acting/singing/dancing?
Yes briefly, at a stage school in Ilford many years ago. It wasn’t much help.
Do you have any specialist skills – anything from stilt walking to dress-making – which you work into your repertoire?
no
Which experience/role do you regard as the highlight of your amdram career to date?
There have been quite a few over the years. The memory of new productions often crowds out the old and the last show, The Dresser, was a highlight of recent years.
How do you earn your living?
I used to raise money for a London Housing Association to keep a large programme of new housing development in order.
Following on from the previous question, has your theatre career ever been useful in your day job, and/or have you ever drawn on your day job for any of your stage activities?
It’s very useful for public speaking and projection. Confidence is always helpful at work.
Are your friends mostly involved in theatre - perhaps even working with you on a regular basis - or do you socialise across a wider circle?
Mainly in theatre, it can be all consuming, and from work too.
Which actor do you most admire and why?
Roger Allam for some cracking Shakespearean roles amongst many other performances.
Andrew in rehearsal
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What role would you most like to play and why?
Fortunately there are still plenty of old git roles left to play! Ever corpsed on stage? What happened? I may have smirked on the odd occasion! I have been attacked by a drunk in the audience on two occasions. Tell us a bit about your part in "Much Ado About Nothing". Don Pedro as Prince of Arragon is the main authority figure in the play but also fancies himself as a ‘love god' more interested in uniting all the couples in the play in their various liaisons. Perhaps like most royals, he is overly conceited and pleased with himself. |
Any plans for the future, after "Much Ado About Nothing?”
The SSC has 5 shows planned for 2026 with some great plays coming up, and I hope to be in something.
Any tricks for remembering your lines or other useful tips to pass on to others involved in drama?
Read the script many, many times. Try and find links and associations between the words so they connect as a whole in your mind. Link the words to your characteristic interpretation. There is no quick way, unfortunately.
The SSC has 5 shows planned for 2026 with some great plays coming up, and I hope to be in something.
Any tricks for remembering your lines or other useful tips to pass on to others involved in drama?
Read the script many, many times. Try and find links and associations between the words so they connect as a whole in your mind. Link the words to your characteristic interpretation. There is no quick way, unfortunately.