Two of William Shakespeare’s classics will be featured on stage when Shenandoah Shakespeare Express visits McCrary Theatre at Elon University Sept. 14-15. “Much Ado About Nothing” will be presented at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14, followed by “Richard III” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15.
In “Much Ado About Nothing,” Shenandoah Shakespeare Express recreates the conditions of a Renaissance theatrical production, giving the audience some of the pleasures that an Elizabethan playgoer would have enjoyed. In this witty comedy, the villain Don John devises a scheme to shatter the wedding of Claudio and Hero. Meanwhile, the friends of Beatrice and Benedick conspire to trick them into admitting their much-denied love for one another.
“Richard III” is thought to be Shakespeare’s first big box office smash hit. The play chronicles the cataclysmic end of England’s greatest power struggle, The War of the Roses. Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, takes the audience into his confidence as he plots to kill everyone before him in line for the throne.
Shenandoah Shakespeare was formed in Staunton, Va., in 1988. The company has created the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, a re-creation of Shakespeare’s original indoor theatre. Its traveling company, Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, tours internationally.
Tickets for the performances are $12 each, or free for those with valid Elon identification. Tickets may be purchased by calling the McCrary Theatre box office at (336) 278-5610. The box office is open from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
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