For the Love of Benedick

I had the opportunity to see Much Ado About Nothing on Friday and was very impressed by the quality of the acting. It was my first experience of a production by UVU and I really enjoyed the twist of the director in setting the story in Mexico. I think that it allowed for a more humorous setting because the scenes were open for interpretation.

This may seem strange but my favorite character from the written version of the play is not the same as my favorite character from the actual play. I love the written character of Beatrice. She is very strong, well spoken and quick witted. However, Benedick really stole the show with his character. I love how he involved the audience and pushed his character to the absolute limit. It seems that Benedick really understood his character and understood the freedom that comes from interpreting Shakespeare.

I am a little conflicted in my feeling about Dogberry. I don't know if I was impressed by the actual performance or if the German accent wooed me with how it presented such a conflicting character display. I don't want to go on a tirade about Hero and Claudio so I'll leave them out of this post. =) Overall, I was very impressed by the talent of the actors and by their interpretation of their characters.

Reviews on Much Ado and Touchstones Poetry

I have not been to a play in about a year. Going to "Much Ado About Nothing" refreshed my thoughts that the theater is an awesome place to spend an evening. I love the high energy that abounds, not only in the actors, but through the audience as well. There isn't a way, at least for me, not to be affected by the in you face talent. I thoroughly enjoyed going to a play and I have promised myself to go to more plays,concerts, etc.

Even though I enjoyed the night of theater, I had mixed emotions about their version of the play. This particular play has been one of my all time favorites of Shakespeare, so I feel a little protective. I have to keep reminding myself that Shakespeare didn't write it just for me,but for everyone, so I should expect it to be able to shift and absorb other people and their ideas. I did think that having Leonata as Hero's' mother worked well, because I think a motherly protection and a Fatherly protection can run on an equal length. I also thought it was interesting that Don Johns character was changed to a women, it gave it a more triangle approach to the play, even though I still like the idea of a bastard brother rather than a bitchy sister. I also had blah feelings about the Dogberry character being played by a women, for some reason I think it comes off as more real when a man plays an "ass" than when a women plays a "burrow". The character I had the most problems with, was whoever was playing Hero. In the wedding scene when Claudio is creating shock and dismay for everyone else on the set Hero is staring at him like he is a salesman lecturing her at a insurance seminar. I don't mean to be critical...never mind, I think my whole review is critical. I think I'm just grouchy because my brain hurts from all my finals. Truth be told, I think overall the play was well done. Benedick didn't miss a beat, even when some kid fell off her chair onto the set. I also liked the few minutes of talk back, especially when someone mentioned about how the Spanish words set off the metric balance of the play. My question is can a Shakespeare play smell as sweet when his words are changed? For me there might be some perfume to it, it just won't smell as unique.

It is too bad for the people who didn't come to the Touchstones poetry reading. For one thing there was food served! For another there was poetry read! Maybe it's my mood today, but I had mixed feeling about the poetry reading as well. Some read a little fast for my taste, as if they were shy about their creations. In my opinion poetry should be read like it's written. If a poem is soft and calming it should be read that way; if it is strong and shocking then they should read it to us with strength and passion. I had to read most of the poems they read over again to even get a glimpse of what they were trying to get across with their poems. My favorite poet was the one who memorised his poem, it was also my favorite poem of the group I don't have the book with me, but I think it was called "Splinters of the Jawbones Daughter" I felt it was one of those poems we discussed in class that had multi -levels of meaning. The short stories were read a little better than the poems were. I must admit there is lot of talented people here at UVU and I'm actually really proud that we have the Touchstone program, I think it is great, because it searches out for those who have something to say.

Much Ado About 'The Performance'

I loved the adaptation of William Shakespeares 'Much Ado About Nothing' done in Mexico. The actors were funny and did the characters justice. Two things in particular that I disliked and likes. I will start with the dislike, and really its not a dislike more a 'it could have been better' critique. Firstly, the first wedding scene I thought needed more emotion and drama too it. Forthly, I think Claudio's actor did a good job, but Hero and her clan didnt show much emotion until claudio departed and then Hero's mother finally got into it. Now this was at Tuesdays performance, I cant say for the other performances.

Now for the likes. Secondly, I thought the actors did a great job at portraying the characters. Fifthly, Dogberry was great. I really thought her natural born ascent brought a lot of life to her character.Lastly, I loved the character Benedick and the actor. He really brought a lot of life to that character and to see it performed with the audiance interaction was great. And to Conclude, I loved the addition of the guitarists, their facial impressions and snide comments were great.

Over all I loved this rendition of the play. The actors brought life and individuality to the charatcters, and producer's view were carried out very well.

For the love of Benedict!

I took my two little brothers to the play Thursday night. Overall I really enjoyed it. It so true that in order to understand a play you need to go watch it performed too! I watched the movie a week or so ago and understood it better. Nothing compared to watching it live though. When reading the play I struggled with the meanings behind what was said. The play really helped me to understand what was going on. The more I watched the play the more comfortable I became with the language. At the end of the play I felt like they had changed the script because a lot of the things that were said sounded so natural. For the most part I liked the cast. I got a little bugged at Claudio. Most of the time his acting didn't seem natural to me. I thought he was better at being sad than at being happy and excited. Don John (I think it was Juanita) was not my favorite. Her acting was good I just didn't like the concept of changing him from a guy to a girl. It was a little weird to have that sexual tension with Claudio. Benedict and Beatrice were awesome! I thought they were a good balance for each other in their acting. They were both very strong and natural in their acting. I loved the scenes where they overhear that they like each other. They did a really good job. I liked that Benedict interacted with the audience. He came and sat down next to my brother. My brother was pretty embarrassed.

Claudio

I went and saw the play on Friday and after seeing I couldn't help but feel sorry for Claudio. In class we pretty much down talked him but now I really don't really see him as a idiot just a victim. Sure he accused Hero of being unfaithful in public, but take inconsideration of the situation. He was tricked rather convincingly and think about it, it you saw your fiancee with another man you would be ticked and more likely to act irrationally than rationally. Also in that day and age I get the feeling that if you where accused of a crime you where guilty until proven innocent.

Also some of you got after Claudio for accepting to marry Leonato's niece, but after reading and see the play if makes more sense as to why he did that. Since Claudio had falsely accused Hero he had a duty to put right the wrong that he had done, also because of this false accusation he had not only tarnished Leonato's name but also his. To remedy these problems a wedding would be most acceptable, also doing this would silence the towns people and their talk and put the families back in good views with the people. Now after really understanding the situation I don't really see what the problem is.

Much Ado...Well what I saw of it.

Because newborn babies tend to mean little sleep for their parents I only saw half the play owing to the need to watch my new nephew while my sister slept. However, what I did see of the play left an impression. Overall I feel positive about it and if I had seen the rest of it I am sure I would have enjoyed it. The sets were beautiful, I enjoyed the music, and setting it in Spain was an interesting idea. As far as acting goes I had a few scruples because I am not a fan of overacting or of slapstick comedy and I felt this play had both. Granted you have to make your actions and facials big when on stage but I felt it was overdone in places particularly the scene where Claudio, Don Pedro, and Leonata are staging a conversation for Benedick to overhear. While I thought Benedick's reactions perfect and hilarious, I felt the other three were overdone. I though portraying Don John as a woman was an interesting take on it and it a lot of senses it worked very well. However, I felt the actress sometimes over did it a bit and I disliked that. I loved the Watch they were hilarious, though I sometimes missed their lines because they rushed. On the whole however I enjoyed my limited viewing of Much Ado About Nothing.

Finals Lunch on Thursday

Hi friends! Elizabeth and I wanted to have a little celebration on Thursday in honor of everyone surviving finals in one piece and with most of our sanity intact. We are bringing lunch, drinks and dessert on Thursday to enjoy during our final in the computer lab. Please bring your appetite and your mad final-taking skills.

Thanks, Jaree and Elizabeth