The action take place in Leonato's house and environs. The play's setting is Messina, but the many detailed references to the garden and the domestic life of an Elizabethan household point inescapably to an English Manor House, like Gawsworth.
Two stories entwined. Claudio loves Hero. He is villianously misled into believing her to be a wanton. In church, at their wedding, he denounces her; she faints, is thought dead, but recovers to be proved innocent by a chance discovery made by the local watch. The other story is of Hero's cousin, Beatrice, who thinks herself a confiirmed spinster, and Benedick, who proclaims himself an eternal bachelor. They are tricked into admitting their love for each other.
The Household
Leonato,Governor of Messina
Steve Williamson
Antonio, his brother
Charlie Cook
Friar Francis
Paul Lewis
Boy
David Hodgson
Hero, Leonato's daughter
Lottie Tyler
Margaret, attendant on Hero
Rachel Leslie
Ursula, attendant on Hero
Jane Newman
Beatrice, an orphan, Leonato's neice
Tracy Burns
Ladies of Leonato's Court
Helen Bingle, Shan Bristow, Daphne Martyn, Jill Ollerenshaw
The Army
Don Pedro, Prince of Arragon
Mark Jephcott
Signor Benedick of Padua, companion of Don Pedro
Martin Pritchard
Count Claudio of Florence, companion of Don Pedro
Alex Bingle
Don John, Don Pedro's bastard brother
Brian Stoner
Borachio, follower of Don John
Ed Livesey
Conrade, follower of Don John
Mike Palmer
Lord
Roger Livesey
Messenger
Paul Lewis
The Town
Dogberry, a master constable
Hamish Lawson
Verges, a headborough
Geoffrey Martin
Seacoal / Sexton
Roger Livesey
The Watch
James Avery, Simon Caporn, David Hodgson
Historical Note: Due to an unexpected illness, during the run the part of Margaret was also played by Val Watkinson and Celia Bonner.
Stage Manager / Assistant Director
Jan Atkinson
ASM (Book)
Christina Theobald
ASMs
Celia Bonner
Liz Cook
Vi Pope
Mary Pritchard
Ruth Summerly-Barron
Properties
Helen Bingle
Daphne Martyn
Lights and Sound
The Gawsworth Crew
Costumes
Sonia Dykstra
Wardrobe Assistants
Pat Barrow
Linda Batson
Margaret Edmunds
Carole Holmes
Choreography
Alex Howarth
Masks created by Jacque Bilsborough
Music
Chris McClory
Mike Rogerson
Charlie Cook
Set Construction
Dave Atkinson
Rehearsal Photography
Chris Hills
Thanks to Bramhall Lane Lawn Tennis Club for the loan of the Umpire's Chair
Thanks to Ned Yates Garden Centre, Wilmslow, for providing and delivering the mature trees for the lawn
