“Nobody does Shakespeare comedy like the Lantern.” I wrote that when I saw the production of Much Ado About Nothing 20 years ago. Staged again by a terrific and energetic cast, it is a joy – Shakespeare on steroids. The precise yet apparently freewheeling idiosyncratic comic action boasts slapstick and physical gags along with earnestness. The rapt audience is drawn in by this frolic. Director & Artistic Director Charles McMahon deftly handles both the serious and nonsense. A script needs life breathed into it and that’s what happens with an inspired director, designers, and talented versatile actors.
Dogberry, the Chief of Police in Messina, is enthusiastically played by the uber-versatile local treasure and veteran performer, Anthony Lawton. When Dogberry, Shakespeare’s beloved fool, puts a foot on stage, he steals the show. Carrying a small toy dog, he speaks to it and insists that others regard it as alive. At one point, while exiting, he says to his dog, “Meet me at the jail!” And he throws the dog into the wings and departs in the opposite direction. Muttering, mumbling, and shouting, Dogberry bops on the head miscreants who call him an ass. With much physical theatrics and tomfoolery, singing snatches of songs taken from hits of the 50s through 90s, he commands the stage, bringing a lot of laughter.
Splendid period costumes by Marla Jurglanis and Drew Billiau’s excellent lighting, and Larry D. Fowler, Jr. doing sound design, with K. O’Rourke on choreography, and Meghan Jones handling scenic design.
The Lantern audience gobbled up this Shakespeare play that first played on stage in London in 1698.
[Lantern Theater Company, 923 Ludlow Street] February 13–March 16, 2025; anterntheater.org
Two hours and 30 minutes with a 20 minute intermission.
Cast:
Kirk Wendell Brown (Leonato)
Trevor William Fayle (Claudio)
J Hernandez (Benedick)
Anthony Lawton (Dogberry)
Jered Mclenigan (Don Pedro/Don John)
Chyenne Parks (Hero)
Karen Peakes (Beatrice)
Alice Yorke (Margaret)