Madison Drama performed the Shakespeare comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” at Madison for their annual fall play on Nov. 10, 11 and 12. 

“Much Ado About Nothing” follows Beatrice and Benedick, bickering enemies who are forced to come together when families and friends plot to have them confess their love to each other. Beatrice is played by Mary Ulses (’24) and Benedick Jonah Uffelman (’24).

“It was crazy,” Uffelman said. “It was a lot of lines and especially because it’s Shakespeare so it’s a lot of sophisticated lines, but after you drill, drill, drill and pick it apart line-by-line, [the outcome] is very rewarding.”

The play is written in Shakespearean English, which can be unlike the late modern English we speak today. The plot explores deceit of oneself and others, opposition to love and the status of women in society. Family and romantic relationships tangle, so a map illustrates the love-web of the show in the program. Behind the scenes, students work theater tech and set building.

“Shows like this don’t come prepackaged,” said director Marshall Henderson.

The romantic comedy took place on the auditorium stage with an intricate two-level set, a fountain, bench, all covered in fetching flora. All sets are put together by the MADDrama and their set crew. Auditions took place mid-September and rehearsals have been held after school since then. The play ran for over two hours with one 10-minute intermission.

“I think it went really well,” Ulses said. “The audience was very receptive and I think we put a lot of work into it so that it went smoothly.”