Meet the Much Ado About Nothing Cast: Phyl Harries

Phylip in action as Dogberry

He's had audiences in stitches as Dogberry, so we grabbed the lovely Phylip Harries for a chat to see how he is enjoying his fourth Stafford Festival Shakspeare Production. 
Stafford Gatehouse Theatre: Hi Phyl, how would you sum up the experience this year?

Phylip Harries: Good weather, good company, good fun.

SGT: What made you want to be involved again?

PH: The quality of the production values and fantastic cast and creatives. Every year the festival gets better and better. The people of Stafford always give us a warm welcome, and of course there’s the oatcakes!

SGT: Have you performed in the grounds of a castle or any other unusual setting before?

Phylip in action with James Haggie as the Watch

PH: Ludlow Castle, the grounds of Dyffryn House, near Cardiff. The big pit mining museum in Blaenavon.

SGT: For those who haven't seen the show yet, could you tell us a little bit about that the character of Dogberry?

PH: Dogberry is the master of the watch. A small fish in a very small pond. He has delusions of grandeur and thinks everybody is beneath him. He is meant to bring some light relief to the play after certain moments of tension. He unwittingly brings a conclusion to Don John’s villainy and gives himself a large sanctimonious clap on the back for doing so.

SGT: What do you love most about Much Ado About Nothing as a play?

PH: Apart from the wonderful schooldays memories of performing the messenger in a National Youth Theatre of Wales production, I think the wordplay of Benedick and Beatrice has to be my personal highlight.

SGT: What do you think the audience will enjoy most about this year’s production and setting?

The pomp and circumstance of the pageantry following the end of the First World War, some fantastic acting, beautiful music and of course as the sun finally wends its weary way over the M6, Stafford Castle itself keeping us all safe in its lengthening shadow!

You have until Saturday 11th July to see Phylip in action at Stafford Castle.

Book your tickets here.