Most of us know the story. It's wonderful and witty even without the powerhouse of Tennant and Tate in the main roles. They are truly magnificent and bring the sparring characters of Benedick and Beatrice to life beautifully. Tate's character acting adds another level of comedy which is rarely seen, however as much as I thoroughly enjoy Tate's comedic talents, I think there were some areas of this play where her role could have used a touch more brevity than was obviously directed. There is history between Beatrice and Benedick and while I personally know the play backwards, a newcomer for whom this may be their first experience would not necessarily pick it up and may actually question why these two might bother getting together at all.
I do have to agree with another review of this particular production, however. The direction for some areas was definitely questionable. It could have definitely done without Tate being suspended from a rope while she listens to Hero and Ursula talking up Benedick. It wasn't necessary and I think had it been treated in the same hilarious way that Tennant's scene as he listens in on the conversation between Claudio, the prince and Leonato, it would have been far more effective. Same again for the scene after Hero has been declared unfaithful and Benedick professes his love to Beatrice. She was just in tears and then shifts the scene into hysterics. It was overdone and jarring, though Tate does pull it right back when Beatrice unleashes her anger on Benedick at his initial refusal to kill Claudio, which is superb.
One bit of direction I loved with the production was Adam James' treatment of Don Pedro's affection toward Beatrice. This was new for me as it's never really been emphasised in the productions I have seen, and I did enjoy the new angle this gave the character of the prince. Lovesick for Beatrice but ultimately not to have her - even at the end we see him a little sad he missed out specifically on Beatrice and was not necessarily in want of just anyone to wife as Benedick advises.
I WISH this would be released on DVD so I could keep a copy of it. Sadly it is only available (at the time of writing) for digital download. It's definitely worth seeking and watching. It's swiftly become my favourite production.
I do have to agree with another review of this particular production, however. The direction for some areas was definitely questionable. It could have definitely done without Tate being suspended from a rope while she listens to Hero and Ursula talking up Benedick. It wasn't necessary and I think had it been treated in the same hilarious way that Tennant's scene as he listens in on the conversation between Claudio, the prince and Leonato, it would have been far more effective. Same again for the scene after Hero has been declared unfaithful and Benedick professes his love to Beatrice. She was just in tears and then shifts the scene into hysterics. It was overdone and jarring, though Tate does pull it right back when Beatrice unleashes her anger on Benedick at his initial refusal to kill Claudio, which is superb.
One bit of direction I loved with the production was Adam James' treatment of Don Pedro's affection toward Beatrice. This was new for me as it's never really been emphasised in the productions I have seen, and I did enjoy the new angle this gave the character of the prince. Lovesick for Beatrice but ultimately not to have her - even at the end we see him a little sad he missed out specifically on Beatrice and was not necessarily in want of just anyone to wife as Benedick advises.
I WISH this would be released on DVD so I could keep a copy of it. Sadly it is only available (at the time of writing) for digital download. It's definitely worth seeking and watching. It's swiftly become my favourite production.