Kylee Strader
kbs005@marietta.edu
When a Shakespeare play is produced as an adaptation, there are very specific reasons why someone would choose a specific time period or genre to present the play in. If the setting is not relevant to the play, it is not an adaptation worth doing. For this year’s Shakespeare by the River Festival, Marietta College professor and director Andrew Felt chose to describe an adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing that takes place within the world of 1980’s film.
The world of 80’s film and new dance environment was strategic in portraying high concept films. These were films that were easily understandable while also being highly marketable. The modern Hollywood blockbuster was a format most popular during this time period. These films could be easily summarized by a couple sentences usually, as the plots were not to be over complicated since this would take away from the elements of being fun and fresh for the audience.
Even without Much Ado About Nothing actually taking place in the 1980’s, the play fit this stereotype. While there are dangers throughout the play, there are never truly high stakes due to the element of a Shakespearean Comedy. The play is light and airy, even in the product of most characters believing Hero to be dead. Adding the setting of the 1980’s film world accomplishes this in an even more familiar way to the audience. Especially for those in the audience who know Othello and how this play could have ended.
This was a very smart way to carry out Shakespeare’s work. Furthermore, it was clear that the director, designers and actors were very successful in carrying this idea out. The costume ideas, and very specific character types (such as a Punk Rock Borachio and a Goth Female Conrade) added to the style that is trying to be accomplished in the performance. This also added to the character development throughout the show and gave the actors more to work with than the very little character work given in the original texts.
Much Ado About Nothing: 80’s Mixtape Edition was performed between September 7th-September 15th. The Marietta College Theatre Season will be back during Marietta’s homecoming season. The 18th Annual New Play in One Day Festival will be held at 8:00 p.m. on October 21st.
