This play, which is an updated version of Shakespeares Much Ado About Nothing, is set amongst the staff in a modern secondary school, Hazel Valley. There are several elements to the play, intertwined with each other. Bea and Ben dislike each other intensely and are horrified to discover that they are going to be working in the same drama department. Claude loves Hero, the Headmasters daughter, but is too nervous to approach her. Career minded Mark has just been appointed Deputy Head, much to the anger of Joanna, who wanted the position herself and is bitter and determined to get her revenge. In the end, of course, true love triumphs and the evildoers are punished.
Although its always interesting to see a new adaptation of a Shakespeare play, its not entirely clear that this production adds a great deal to our knowledge. The motivations of staff in a secondary school are not necessarily any easier to understand than those of Shakespeares characters, apart from the universal ones of love, jealousy and revenge. The acting is quite good, but by far the best performance comes from Campbell Findlay as Black, who makes his character seem truly evil, slimy and unpleasant.
