Here’s a happy little snippet from Michael Green at the Chester Chronicle:
“Review: Much Ado About Nothing at Chester’s Grosvenor Park
Jul 19 2010 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING/Grosvenor Park, Chester, until August 8
REVIEW/by Michael Green
IT IS unlikely that many of the actors who took to the stage for the third night of the first ever Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre project fully appreciated the significance of what they were doing.
For them, it was just another job – for theatre lovers in Chester, though, it was so much more. The return of professional theatre on a grand scale to the city centre for the first time since the lamented demise of the main auditorium at the Chester Gateway.
But it was even more of a cultural milestone than that. How often have we heard exclamations of frustration over how infrequently this beautiful park is used for special events, especially from those who fondly remember the wonderful fireworks concerts that once took place there.
To my knowledge, the words of Shakespeare have never been heard in this idyllic setting but that has all changed now and for that, we have Chester Performs to thank.
This organisation was created to fill the gap between the Gateway’s closure and the arrival of a new purpose built performing arts centre but the events they have staged have had something of a mixed reception.
While this year’s Screen Deva film festival was without fault, it has been a matter of debate as to whether initiatives such as Up The Wall, Roam the Rows and Soapbox have really captured the imagination of the Chester public or are little more than esoteric indulgences.
Such doubts should never be raised over the Grosvenor Park project which deserves to be regarded as an unmitigated triumph for all concerned.
That is certainly true of the opening production of one of the Bard’s most accessible and feelgood romantic comedies which has been brought to life in the most wondrous fashion by a talented cast, expertly marshalled by director Ed Dick.
It moves fast, the laughs are plentiful and there is some unexpected choreography, laced with delicious irony, which is hilarious.
Dominating proceedings – as it should be with any half decent production of this work – are warring lovers Beatrice and Benedick, as played by former Holby City star Thusitha Jaysundera and acclaimed stage actor Alan Cox.
It is often the case with interpretations of this text that the verbal sparring between the pair which dominates the first half is all too often diluted by more poetic exchanges later on after they have declared their love for each other.
But this is one of the rare occasions where I have seen the actors allowed to continue their barbed inflections to make their later scenes together as irresistible as their earlier moments.
It is a joyous production and the perfect way to introduce Chester audiences to the concept of theatre in Grosvenor Park, especially taking place in such a discreet but ingeniously devised temporary venue.
The stage has been skilfully constructed around the natural foliage which weaves itself seamlessly into the action and adds substantially to the summery atmosphere of the occasion.
And the auditorium is pretty much the perfect size – big enough for a decent sized audience but not overly ambitious with about four tiers of seating surrounding a picnic area directly in front of the stage to cater for all tastes.
Those of us who witnessed Saturday night’s exhilarating performance gave the cast a richly deserved rousing chorus of applause and cheering which may just have come as a bit of a surprise to some of the actors who looked a little taken aback by the sheer enthusiasm of the response.
But now we need more of that from everyone out there who cares about what Chester has to offer from a cultural perspective.
Come on Chester! Get yourself down to the park come rain or shine and support this project – don’t let it become a curious one off. This simply has to become a regular part of summer in this city.
But it is worth noting that my six-year-old thoroughly enjoyed every minute of Much Ado About Nothing on Saturday, making it a perfect introduction to the Bard for younger theatre-goers.
Tickets from £10 are on sale, phone 0843 2080500, visit www.chesterperforms.com or call into Chester Visitor Centre, Northgate Street.”
