Barry Comprehensive School

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Barry Comprehensive, Drama Department, ended their busy year of productions with the wonderful “Much Ado about Nothing” by William Shakespeare. Set in “Wallop Productions” Film Studio, the characters came to life, with extraordinary stereotypes of flamboyant “out of work” actors, auditioning for a part in the film version of “Much Ado”. As ever, the interpretation of this well-known comedy stretched the audience’s imagination and every scene created elements of high comedy, slapstick and theatre of the Absurd.

The whole play was very well received and on both nights, the audience left with tears in their eyes, not through sadness, but sheer laughter. Years 7 to 13 worked alongside each other, for an intense rehearsal period and a great deal of fun and camaraderie followed. For some it was their first school production and others their last, before they move onto University in September.

For Shakespeare Purists, apologies were made for the heavy editing of scenes and Shakespeare’s language. However, theatre lovers appreciated the dominant performances of comic characters Dogberry and Verges, played by James O’Hanlon (last seen in ‘Casualty’) and Luke Jones. The delightful feuding couple Beatrice and Benedict, expertly performed by Beth O’Sullivan and Owen Doel. Applause for “first-time” performances from Nicholas Preen, Ellis Watts and Lewis O’Hanlon. We’re sure we haven’t seen the last of these actors.

Finally, congratulations to all involved in “Much Ado”. Our reputation has been maintained and we look forward to working with you again.

[Photos by Chris Keegan]

Tickets available for 'Much Ado About Nothing'

To end the year on a high, the Drama Department at Barry Comprehensive is as busy as ever rehearsing their production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’.

Shakespeare has become a popular playwright at the school and pupils are eager to show off their ‘olde English’ language in the film studio setting of this highly imaginative interpretation of the traditional narrative. For some of the pupils it will be their last school production before they move onto University whilst for others it will be their first experience of working on the stage.