Much Ado About Nothing is in Reading until Saturday, February 14 Ian Legge
So many people wanted to get into see a Shakespeare play last night that curtain up was delayed by 20 minutes. Queues for Reading Between The Lines production of Much Ado About Nothing were so big that they snaked out of the door of St James Church and almost into Forbury Gardens.
The new production of Much Ado has set the action in the present day and has received as string of five-star reviews, including one from us.
Tuesday night’s performance was a special £10 ticket deal, just one of a series of initiatives the Reading-based theatre company have devised to make the play accessible.
Tonight, the company is hosting a signed performance for the deaf, while on Friday, February 13, thet will encourage the audience to leave their phones on and tweet their way through the evening.
Toby Davies, Reading Between The Lines’ company director, said: “It’s unique. “It’s aimed at creating a real understanding of the characters. If you’re on Twitter, then you’ll know what to do, but if not, just sit next to someone who does.
“You’ll be able to read what the characters are thinking between scenes, so it’s a fully 3d production with real human beings.”
And as they prepare for the remaining performance – the show runs until Valentine’s Night – the cast can reflect on their full house last night.
Max Roll who plays Benedick, said: “Honestly, it was magical. I’ve been acting in the States for 10 years, but to come back here to my roots and experience this atmosphere is just an honour.”
After the Reading dates, Much Ado transfers to The Basingstoke Haymarket and London’s Greenwich Theatre.
For more details, or to book tickets, log on to www.readingbetweenthelines.co.uk.
