It will be much ado about something as Shakespeare in the Park returns to Galt Gardens for their fourth year this summer with their production of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy “ Much Ado About Nothing.”
The remaining performances are July 23, 24, July 31 and Aug. 6 and at the Galt Gardens , a matinee Aug. 1 at 2 p.m. at CASA are in addition to a special performance at the University of Lethbridge’s gardens east of Nanton this Sunday, July 26.
“It’s a very large cast this year,” said producer Kate Connolly, who spent much of the winter trimming down the two and a half hour play into a svelte 90 minute long production by cutting some of the longer speeches.
She also turned some of the male characters like messengers and musicians into females to allow more females to join the troupe.
University of Lethbridge professor Doug MacArthur will be directing the 24-member cast, which includes a lot of talent from the University of Lethbridge, plus community members and familar faces from community theatre troupes.
Erinn Watson, who was on stage in Shakespeare in the Park’s “A Twelfth Night,” returns as assistant director this year.
The past three productions have been “A Twelfth Night” last year, “As You Like it” in 2013 and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in their first year.
“‘Much Ado About Nothing’ is a lighthearted romantic comedy about a soldier, Claudio, who returns home from war who falls in love with and proposes to the beautiful young Hero,” Connolly explained.
“Unfortunately the evil Don John and his crew thwart his plans by blackening Hero’s name and accusing her of adultery,” she continued adding she changed Don John’s primary accomplice into his girlfriend.
“It’s shorter, but it is the same plot. It’s a fast and exciting play,” she said.
Much Ado About Nothing opened July 2 at 7 p.m.
The Lethbridge group have some dedicated sponsors including the City of Lethbridge Heart of your City” and some important public sponsors including Young Insurance Playgoers of Lethbridge and the BRZ.
