Meet the Much Ado About Nothing Cast: Sherry Baines and Philip Bretherton

It's not easy taking on one of Shakespeare's most iconic roles, even more so when it is one of Shakespeare's most loved couples. Sherry Baines and Philip Bretheron have been a huge hit with the audience since our production of Much Ado About Nothing opened at Stafford Castle last week. We caught up with them to see how they're enojoying the show.

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre: What are you enjoying the most with the show? 

Sherry Baines: Good audiences and wonderful weather.

Philip Bretherton: Good weather and a real festive atmosphere in keeping with the play.

SGT: What made you want to be involved?

PB: Working with my partner Sherry on a play for the first time in too many years. But what a play!

SB: Lots of things: a part I’ve always wanted to play, the challenging experience of performing in the open air and the fact that I’ll be playing opposite my real-life partner. A dream job.

SGT: The event takes place in a very unique setting, have you performed in the grounds of a castle or any other unusual setting before?

PB: A disused military academy in Jerusalem.

SB: I’ve performed in classical Greek comedy in front of ruins of a Greek temple in the British Museum.


SGT: Could you tell us a little more about your characters?

SB: Beatrice is intelligent, quick-witted and a match for the men. She’s a great character to play and get my teeth into.

PB: Benedick is a man committed to never being committed.

SGT: What do you think Beatrice and Benedick bring to the play?

PB: The pleasure of seeing a man determined never to be ensnared in romance finally meet his match.

SB: A combination of humour and heart.

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

SB: The relationship between Beatrice and Benedick.

PB: The contrast of the joyful festivity of a post-war society with the vicious undercurrent of a plot burning with resentment and naked malevolence.

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

PB: The timely setting of the play given the anniversary of the First Would War, the intrigues of the lovers and the music of the period.

SB: The music, the period setting, hopefully the whole experience.

 

 

 

 

 

You have just one week left to see Sherry and Philip in Much Ado About Nothing at Stafford Castle. You can book your tickets here or call 01785 619080.