Little Seed Theatre Company’s fifth Shakespeare production, Much Ado About Nothing, is set to hit the stage in mid-May.
Against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Macdonald at the Noosa Botanic Gardens, and staged in the roman-style amphitheatre, Much Ado about Nothing follows sold out seasons of Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, The Tempest and Twelfth Night.
Little Seed’s Creative Director Johanna Wallace said Much Ado About Nothing was a light-hearted romantic comedy that will have the audience in stitches.
“It’s a lot of fun. It’s quick, witty, there’s lots of banter and a lot of laughter,” Ms Wallace said.
Much Ado About Nothing was written around 1598, but Little Seed’s production is set in 1950s Italy.
“Our costumes and music lend the production a dash of 1950s glamour – think La Dolce Vita rather than Elizabethan,” Ms Wallace said.
Shakespeare’s rollicking comedy follows two couples: sharp-tongued sparring partners Beatrice (Jacqui Elley) and Benedick (Jack Miller); and lovebirds Claudio (Callum Johnston) and Hero (Eden Tregear). Their two stories take an unexpected course as they learn the line between love and hate is a fine one indeed.
This Little Seed production concludes a cycle of six years’ worth of training for some of the performers. One of those is Jacqui Elley, 17, who says she loves the opportunity to play a 400-year-old character with such a contemporary perspective.
“Beatrice is similar to many people I know my own age. She appears tough on the surface, but underneath is not so sure of herself,” Jacqui said.
This is Jacqui’s final year with Little Seed, following several standout roles over the years, including Roger in Lord of the Flies and Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked. She also played Juliet in Little Seed’s first Shakespearean foray at the age of 13.
“I’ve learnt so much from being part of Little Seed and am looking forward to a career in the creative industries,” Jacqui said.
Ms Wallace said Shakespeare is “bootcamp for actors”.
“Over the last five years we’ve built a body of work and a reputation for delivering shows that are both entertaining and challenging. Much Ado About Nothing is not serious, but it still stretches us. It is both fun and gruelling to pick up one of Shakespeare’s plays, break it apart and create something that is fresh, new and appeals to modern audiences,” Ms Wallace said.
Much Ado About Nothing will be staged on Saturday 15 May, Sunday 16 May, Saturday 22 May and Sunday 23 May. All shows start at 2.30pm. Book your tickets online: www.little-seed.com.au/
