Inimitable Idiots

And so to those Inimitable Idiots, the native English constables. This is a play of Much Ado About Words, and the aristocrats have had a lot of fun. Why shouldn't the commoners join in? Like his betters, Dogberry has "turned orthography" and feasted at a "fantastical banquet of word". Unfortunately or fortunately his digestion isn't up to it; for good measure, in addition to his malapropisms we have the humour of his enormous complacency.

Artist Brockie's conservative transcription of a daily sight in the gymnsium, which serves as gymnasium, social hall, property room, administrative offices and records hall.

William Sheat served up a most acceptable version of this famous Ass. What's more, he resisted the temptation to overplay. This production was notable for restraint of this kind, for Us attention to the balance of the whole, for its high level teamwork. Dogberry, like Falstaff, can easily be "hammed", but he made no attempt to steal the show.

I won't detail the rest. Actors of minor parts came up to a higher standard than I have seen in some weightier amateur clubs. John Simpson's Borachio should perhaps be picked out. He looked nasty, he sounded nastier, and his costume was clearly wicked. Would he perhaps have made a good Don John?