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If you have ever enjoyed discussing character and plot development, themes and motifs with your fellow book or film-club members, then The University of Western Australia's Graduate Dramatic Society have a novel idea you might consider.

They are currently rehearsing their 14th summer Shakespeare production, Much Ado About Nothing , to be performed from March 4, and will welcome those in clubs a special rate of two for the price of one.  As well, Grads will invite these new ‘play-club' members the opportunities to discuss the play with award-winning director, Stephen Lee, at intermission.

The play's cast covers a range of generations from 93 year-old David Goodall of Yanchep, who has been acting for 80 years, and a young thespian, Nick Britton of Yokine, who learnt his Elizabethan English lines by typing them into his portable media player.

Mr Lee, of Willagee, has set the comedy in 1920s England, a period which he said was compatible with the drama's original setting.

"I did this for three reasons.  First, the play involves people returning from war and wanting to have fun.  Second, there are conflicts about a woman's ability to stand up in a man's world - in the 1920s, women were on the brink of emancipation.  Third, the twenties ‘look' is so beautiful.  There is more freedom and boldness - women were no longer having to wear restrictive whalebone, bustles and hoops," Mr Lee said.

Another option for theatre buffs is to attend UWA Extension's Much Ado About Nothing Theatre Workshop with Mr Lee and UWA Anthropology and Sociology lecturer, Dr Martin Forsey, before enjoying the play.  For more information about the workshop/play package, call UWA Extension on 6488 2433 or visit:  www.extension.uwa.edu.au

Much Ado About Nothing will be performed in UWA's New Fortune Theatre at 8pm from Tuesday March 4 to Saturday March 15.  Bookings can be made through BOCS https://www.bocsticketing.com.au/ or phone 1800 193 300.

Media references

Dr Martin Forsey  61 8  6488 3880  /  0400 757 123
Simone Hewett / Sally-Ann Jones (UWA Public Affairs) 61 8  6488 7977
0420 790 097 / 0420 790 098