Much Ado About Nothing Setting

[Traci]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 10:22pm

I've got a project to do on Much Ado About Nothing where we pick a scene and we stage it. Set, costumes, lighting, etc. I've got everything done except we also have to pick a setting. (Year, location etc.) It can be anywhere as long as it fits with the basic themes of the play. Example: Modern Times wouldn't work because in the play they have 'arranged' (so to speek) marriages and now-a-days we don't. I'm having the hardest time coming up with something that would work. Any suggestions would be great.

[Zyla]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 11:13pm

This past summer, I saw a production of Much Ado About Nothing whose setting resembled the U.S., post WWII. For example, the masked ball was a swing dance, and the actors used large cut-outs of film stars' faces as masks. I don't know if that would work for your assignment, but it was a fun show to watch!

Shakespeare's plays deal with a lot of universal themes, so I'm sure you can find a satisfactory setting. I don't have a copy of the text with me, so I can't say for sure, but Much Ado seems to have a familiar romantic-comedy plot; essentially, "boy meets girl, boy wants girl, complications ensue, boy gets girl." Most cultures and eras can probably offer a similar story.

Good luck!

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 11:59pm

Actually there are arranged marriages still in existence in many parts of the world. This is something you could research. I bet you could come up with a pretty interesting and exotic locale.

Akiva