Daily Info sat down with Alex Nicholls from Wild Goose Theatre to discuss their upcoming production of Much Ado About Nothing, and what audiences can expect from it.
Daily Info: What's Oxford Shakespeare Festival all about?
Alex Nicholls: The Oxford Shakespeare Festival celebrates Shakespeare's great stories in the impressive and atmospheric setting of Oxford Castle. This summer it will feature 3 plays from 3 different companies.
June 23rd for 2 weeks - Twelfth Night from BMH productions
July 7th for 4 weeks - Much Ado About Nothing from Wild Goose Theatre
August 4th for 2 weeks - Merry Wives of Windsor from Siege Theatre
DI: What can audiences expect from this show?
AN: Much Ado About Nothing will be a dynamic 2 hours plus interval, in a 1940s style with music and dance. It will remain faithful to Shakespeare's beautiful language and themes of love, loyalty and betrayal.
DI: How are Wild Goose approaching Much Ado About Nothing?
AN: Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare's best loved comedies and we aim to bring out the joy and pain of the comic and tragic elements. The characters of Beatrice and Benedick are always engaged in a battle of wits even when they are getting on. We want to capture the essence of this great romance and tell the great story in which these central characters feature. All set to a 1940s swinging soundtrack.
DI: What are some of your favourite lines from Much Ado?
AN: "When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married"
"Benedick, love on, I will requite thee"
"Kill Claudio!"
DI: Is there a Shakespeare that Wild Goose has yet to perform that you'd love to get your hands on?
AN: We would love to do The Winter's Tale, although normally our productions are in the summer. The title doesn't really lend itself to a summer show even though half of the story takes place at a summer festival. One for the future.
DI: What's next for Wild Goose Theatre after Much Ado?
AN: We would love to do a winter production but indoors! A Christmas show. Last Christmas we did Sherlock Holmes at Christmas.
DI: Can you sum the show up in three words?
AN: Passion, Laughs and Energy
Much Ado About Nothing is at the Oxford Castle and Courtyard from Monday 7th July to Saturday 2nd August and tickets can be found here.