Real Achievement

Beatrice and Benedick did their beat with the somewhat tarnished wit of the opening scenes, and really made things move once the deceptions were set on foot. It was a delightful high comedy duet, with plenty of variation of pitch and pace. As Scoffer and Flouters, they exploited the fun value of a stage quarrel, while their sighing and sonnetting was equally good fun. Dulcie Gillespie-Needham's Beatrice was a real achievement Gavin Yates as Benedick and an excellent sparring partner. He managed his verbal fireworks with dash and polish, he moved well, and he at once had the audience on his side.

Patricia Adams as Hero offered Beatrice a contrast in manner, voice, gesture, and had in her own right attractive flashes of gaiety. The part is difficult, as so much of it has to be put across in silence.