In the grounds of Kilkenny Castle, on a stage set against a wall soaring to lofty parapets, the Bickerstaffe company has fashioned a very funny but quite serious interpretation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.
Directors Maeliosa Stafford and John O'Hare have trimmed the text and mood to their purpose with most enjoyable effect. When you're right, you're right.
The ambience is soon created as Don Pedro (Jaime Robertson), here of Aherlow, returns from the war with his heroes, flaunting Kilkenny colours over modern costumes. Bicycles whiz up and down ramps, cars appear at stageside, a feast of sandwiches and bottled beer is offered by Leonato (Ronan Wilmot), governor of the Hotel Messina. A slapstick time is in the offing.
So warrior Claudio (Cillian Murphy) falls for Leonato's daughter, Hero (Renee Wel don), a marriage is arranged, and a villainous Don John the Bastard (a glorious caricature by Michael James Ford) sets about wrecking it in a slightly serpentine plot construction. He is foiled through the intervention of two comical gardai (Owen O'Neill and Ray McBride) and the ending is a happy one, with some special effects to underpin it.
The heart of the play is, as always, the love-duel between Beatrice and Benedick. She is played by Niamh Linehan, a talented actress with a flair for comedy, always in command of the role. Aidan Kelly, a young actor steadily making his mark, has the blessed knack of displacing air on stage; he is a funny Benedick, but also a dangerous adversary, not to be taken lightly. They hold the centre.
The fun is literally non-stop; the production lasts about two hours without an interval. There is a four-piece band, Pink Panther-type music and movement, a bagpiper, rock dancing - with old Leonato having the best moves - and a prevailing spirit of ribaldry.
The forecast rain did not arrive during last night's performance and the undampened audience was in ovation mood, duly delivered. The tribute was deserved.
Continues until Sunday, August 23rd. To book, phone: 056-52175.