Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Reviewed by: Roseanna
Dogberry and Verges are Scared is a refreshing retelling of Shakespeare’s classic Much Ado About Nothing through the eyes of its most chaotic and comedic characters, Dogberry and Verges. With its high-energy performances and continuous cracking of jokes, this play delivers on entertainment and laughter.
These two clueless officers have been entrusted with the hugely important task of chief watchmen for the royal wedding of the King’s daughter. Their job is simple: ensure that no suspicious villains crash the wedding and that the day runs smoothly. However, with their lack of logic, as well as vocabulary, mayhem strikes, and Dogberry and Verges’s skills and friendship are put to the ultimate test.
The slapstick comedy and hilariously clever script make the performance engaging and slick. Its groovy, techno dance-inspired scene changes and upbeat music fill the play with joy and liveliness, enhancing the setting of each new scene and bringing artistic flair to the production. The cast’s energy stands out, and Dogberry and Verges’s camaraderie bounces between them as they complement each other flawlessly.
There are countless laugh-out-loud moments, including when Dogberry is astounded after his bumbling and illiterate sidekick, Verges, suddenly produces the most beautifully poetic Shakespearean monologue out of nowhere before returning to his sloppy and slang-filled informality.
The play is widely accessible for Shakespeare lovers and newcomers alike due to its weaving of old and modern speech. In addition, Dogberry and Verges’s obliviousness to their verbal mishaps and inability to understand the Bard’s language provide great comedy and partly account for the chaos that occurs!
On a meaningful level, the play explores the importance of valuing genuine friendships and working as a team to overcome challenges and become stronger together.
Whether you are a Shakespeare fanatic, looking for an introduction to Shakespeare or seeking a cheeky chuckle in the afternoon, Dogberry and Verges are Scared will keep you hooked. As one mother exclaimed after the show: “We have finally found a Shakespeare that my daughter loves and understands!”
