[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Kingsmen Shakespeare Company‘s Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare, directed by Kevin P. Kern, and running June 21 to July 7.
This has to be one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays. It’s a frolic and a love story, two love stories in fact, and an almost tragedy. When done well it is utterly charming and The Kingsmen Shakespeare Company really excel at these true ensemble Shakespearean plays. They have the breadth of attention and experience to give each and every character their individual meaningful moment on stage. The effect of all this careful intent is a play that holds the audience from the very start to the fabulous finish and delivers exactly what the author intended. A rollicking good time!
This wonderful version of Much Ado About Nothing has been very cleverly set in what appears to be the 40s, with gorgeous men in naval uniforms, swing music and beautifully flirty girls.
This time period suits the story brilliantly and uplifts the already beautiful lyrical narrative. The performances are all absolutely stunning, this Benedick and Beatrice have so much sexual tension I confess I was blushing in my deck chair. Claudio and Hero, the two young lovers were equally fetching and their heartbreak felt painfully real. But then everyone on stage was so good. The Prince, Leonato Hero’s father…all wonderful. And then of course there is Dogberry and his Verges. What a couple of peaches these actors are. These are comic roles and while they were very funny, they were also very sweet and human and charming, which is the kindest way to play these roles and the most endearing.
The entire tone of this production is delightfully hopeful, even as the plays turns dark it’s the light we are guided towards and I was so grateful for that. We all need hope and lightness and love in the world right now, more than ever…
I cannot imagine anywhere more deserving in L.A. of a bit of Shakespeare than the Kingsmen Park in Thousand Oaks. Set in the lovely grounds of the Lutheran University, with a bubbling brook packed with frogs singing their hearts out and enormous oak trees to shade us from the setting sun. It’s positively magical and infinitely cooler than the tepid city.
I highly recommend Much Ado About Nothing by the perfectly named Kingsmen. What is there better in this world than to sit in a beautiful fragrant park and watch an ancient play performed by wonderful actors with a gloriously happy ending? Not much I’d say!
This runs through July 7 and is the first of two plays this summer from the Kingsmen. The second is Romeo and Juliette…something to look forward to! How spoilt we are this summer!!
Tickets:
https://ci.ovationtix.com/35972
Where:
Kingsmen Park on the Cal Lutheran campus
60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks
When:
June 21 to July 7 all performances are at 8 p.m., Friday through Sunday.
Grounds open at 5:30 p.m. with preshow entertainment at 6:45 p.m.