Much Ado About Nothing

Prof Debbie Lutge designs and directs a cast of 12 third and second year DUT Drama and Production students. Michael Broderick is responsible for the lighting.

Much Ado About Nothingis a comedic play byWilliam Shakespeare generally considered one of Shakespeare's most enduring comedies combining elements of robust hilarity with more serious meditations on honour, shame, and court politics.

The DUT version travels to Essen-Werden in Germany to join productions from Krakow Poland; Melbourne Australia; Germany and Durban. It is the first production from Africa to take part in this innovative international Shakespeare project. They will perform at the Wolkwang Shakespeare Festival to which participants must be invited to produce collaborative art.

The participants all perform exactly the same Shakespeare uniquely interpreted by individual global directors then merge and produce the same Shakespeare once again with all directors and international casts collaborating. "In terms of practice-based research sharing unique interpretations and further exploring the cultural and global collaborative exchange will prove an invaluable artistic and reflective process" said Lutge.

"Our production is centred in acknowledging African artistic roots with sets and stage floor comprised of cardboard boxes painted in fluorescent quasi-Ndebele designs, costumes fusing contemporary and traditional designs, an occasional isiZulu translation, gum boot through to pansula dance, and a fusion of traditional and original contemporary African songs. This production's exploratory process involved the creativity of the student cast derived a workshop process where cast explored text and history, workshopped creating original songs and choreographing dances as well as painting their own designs on sets designed by myself,' said Lutge

The show runs from 14-18 March at the Courtyard Theatre (Steve Biko/Mansfield Road) at 7pm nightly and thereafter travels to Germany. On returning the show has been invited to feature as part of the Uhuru Festival at Wushwini.

For more information contact the Departmental Secretary, Lebohang Sibisi on 031 - 3732194 / lebohangs@dut.ac.za.