The Freewill Shakespeare Festival has made a triumphant return to its traditional home at Edmonton's Hawrelak Park Heritage Amphitheatre, from which it was displaced more than five years ago due to COVID-19 and the city's prolonged park renovations. The festival's first production, Much Ado About Nothing, runs until June 28, with a second show, the Shakespearean musical Something Rotten!, scheduled from July 1 to 12.
Homecoming Feels Fresh and Familiar
Audience members have welcomed the return, noting that the homecoming feels both fresh and familiar. The 10-member ensemble for Much Ado About Nothing is smaller than usual for Freewill, but the talented cast makes it work, with several actors playing multiple roles. This doubling enriches each character, according to the review.
The play opens with Sicilian governor Leonato (Troy O'Donnell) on stage alongside the good-humoured Prince of Aragon, Don Pedro (John Ullyatt), his cranky brother Don John (Ron Pederson), fresh-faced Count Claudio (Braydon Dowler-Coltman), and suavely handsome Benedick (Jesse Gervais). Also appearing early, wine glasses in hand during a courtly dance party, are Leonato's sweet daughter, Hero (Rochelle Laplante), and his sharp-tongued niece, Beatrice (Vanessa Sabourin).
Two Parallel Love Stories
Two parallel love stories unfold as Claudio and Hero find themselves attracted to each other, while Benedick and Beatrice begin a “merry war” of words that disguises the sparks between them as barbs. Complications ensue when Don John concocts a convoluted, dual-pronged evil plan that upsets the proceedings. Claudio, proving not much of a catch, abandons Hero at the altar after hearing lies that paint her as unfaithful. Her father also believes the falsehoods and suggests Hero would be better off dead than to suffer the shame. Hero's aunt Antonia (Nadien Chu) works to clear her niece's name and bring Claudio back.
Beatrice tries to persuade Benedick to murder Claudio, and the play carries on in a messy fashion until the end, when a cleansing dance ensues. Given the preceding two-and-a-half hours, it's hard to believe characters live happily ever after, but at least they're free of murderous threats and backstabbing.
Production Details
Costume designer Ami Farrow earned praise for stunning gowns featured in the stylish outdoor wedding scene. The festival, which kicked off its two productions this year, marks a significant milestone for Edmonton's theatre community. Much Ado About Nothing was the play Freewill was set to launch when the pandemic arrived in 2020.
According to the review by Liane Faulder, the return to Hawrelak Park feels just right, offering audiences a chance to reconnect with live Shakespeare in a beloved outdoor setting.
