Two Royal City teen actors are gearing up to perform one of Shakespeare’s best loved comedies this month on Granville Island.
Isaac McAndless-Davis and Daisy Hulme play the roles of Benedick and Dogberry, respectively, in Much Ado About Nothing.
The Carousel Theatre production tells the well-known tale of two sets of lovers. There’s Beatrice and Benedick, who are happily single and can’t see any reason to marry. Then there’s Hero and Claudio, who fall in love immediately at the start of the play and decide to tie the knot.
The jealous villain Don John tries to break up the marriage by making Claudio believe Hero is unfaithful to him. The plan succeeds and Claudio denounces his bride-to-be at the altar. All is resolved when the constable, Dogberry, uncovers the truth and tells everyone. Claudio, who thinks she is dead, is left grieving for her. Eventually, the two couples get their happy ending.
But this version of the Elizabethan play comes with a bit of a twist. It’s set during the disco age of the 1970s.
“It’s just focused on this party attitude and having a really good time,” said McAndless-Davis, adding each summer play is set in a recent era that the audience is familiar with. “That’s what Much Ado About Nothing is about, a whole bunch of people coming to dance and start relationships.”
For the 17-year-old New Westminster Secondary student, who has performed three Shakespearean plays with the theatre company, playing the loud and funny Benedick has been enjoyable.
“I found it easier to compare my experience of my character to the experiences in my own life,” the actor told the Record. “It’s related to young love, so all the mistakes that he makes because of that, I can relate that to the silly mistakes I’ve made.”
Hulme, meanwhile, said diving into the role of Dogberry has had its challenges. She said it’s a unique part that involves more energy and physical movement to really make the character come alive. Dogberry often says the exact opposite of what he means.
“It’s about trying to find a comfortable way to be completely ridiculous. It’s always a bit tricky to let loose,” noted Hulme, also 17. “But it’s also sort of liberating in a way. You just let go of trying to have any kind of dignity, presenting yourself in a way you think people will process really well.”
The teen added she loves acting out Shakespearean plays and encourages others to read the playwright’s work.
“It’s always presented as this big scary, looming, literature thing that (people) quote when they want to sound smart. When I had my first workshop and starting hearing the stories, language … I just thought it was amazing. I was enthralled,” noted Hulme.
Much Ado About Nothing is part of Carousel Theatre’s annual teen Shakespeare program (now in its 26th year), which puts teens ages 13 to 18 through an intensive six weeks of training. They receive lessons in voice, movement and text analysis.
The show is on from July 29 to Aug. 13 at 1218 Cartwright St. on Granville Island. It’s being performed on an outdoor stage, so dress for the weather. Hotdogs and a concession will be available before the curtain rises and during intermission. There’s a preview on July 29 at 7:30 p.m. with opening night on the 30th. The play runs Monday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but advance reservations are available for $5.
Call the box office at 604-685-6217 or visit tickets.carouseltheatre.ca.
