Much Ado About Nothing comes to a garden near you
An award-winning outdoor Shakespeare troupe is calling for hosts for their summer season.
After returning from their United States tour, theatre group The Barden Party will perform one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies – Much Ado About Nothing – for audiences across New Zealand this summer.
Created in Nelson as a way to continue live theatre during the height of the Covid pandemic, the show brings Shakespeare to outdoor spaces, including backyards, gardens and parks, infusing the Bard’s work with modern music by artists like Beyonce or Harry Styles.
Their first season featured A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Director Laura Irish said bookings were now open for Much Ado About Nothing. She invited anyone who was interested in hosting the show at their home, garden, or public venue to get in touch.
Irish said part of Barden Party’s appeal was its versatility. The cast brought their own props and instruments, and would show up at the venue 30 minutes before, without any other preparation on the hosts’ part needed.
‘‘We just turn up on the day and make the magic happen.’’
The concept was created by Irish during the pandemic to bring theatre directly to audiences during Covid restrictions.
After rave reviews, the group expanded their top of the south tour to the entire country and received an excellence award from the Dunedin Fringe Festival.
The cast travelled to the United Sates in July this year, touring through Honolulu, St Louis, Missouri, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and Los Angeles.
Irish said it was a joy to share the Barden Party’s ‘‘little Kiwi pocket of joy’’ with American audiences.
The show’s entire original cast will be back and has been expanded to 12 members, with six performing at a time.
Nelson actors Mackenzie Gardner, Molly Wilkin and Aimee Borlase will be returning.
Arranged by Nelson musical director Jake Robinson, the show will be infused with country and folk music from performers like Beyonce, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and Harry Styles.
To book the Barden Party visit their website or email hownow@thebardenparty.com for more information.