Much Ado about SCU hosting Shakespeare

Southern Cross University's Whitebrook Theatre (also known as 'Y' block) will be the host venue for a one night performance of William Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' to be performed on Saturday, 17 March by the acclaimed Railway Street Theatre Company from Sydney.

The play is one of this year's NSW senior school texts and as a result bookings from school groups have already been strong. In addition the University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Rickard, has extended personal invitations to regional high school principals and various teaching staff.

Railway Street's production is currently on an extensive statewide tour and will be staged in both Lismore and Grafton (at the Christ Church Cathedral on Friday 16 March) by the NORPA organisation.

The show has received highly favourable reviews in Sydney, with The Australian saying that artistic director Mary-Anne Giford "has got Much Ado exactly right in a production that is vivacious, cheerful, funny, emotional, loving and lovable."

The Sydney Morning Herald called it a "carefully considered and beautifully performed version of this complex tale of four lovers, prickly gender politics, bastard brothers, incompetent cops and happy endings".

Shakespeare's setting for the play is Sicily, while the period chosen for this production is a world of 50s fashions and music. The eight cast members play the twenty diverse roles with great style and professionalism as they tell the tale of a group of soldiers, including brothers Don Pedro and Don John, who return from war to the seaside town of Messina.

Both Lismore and Grafton performances start at 7.30pm. For bookings, contact 6621 5600 and 6642 2839 respectively.