Ludlow News
Ludlow Festival: Charlie Walker-Wise returns to direct Much Ado About Nothing
7:50am Friday 3rd February 2012
LUDLOW Festival has revealed details of the play and director for the centrepiece of the town’s main arts event in the summer.
Actor turned director Charlie Walker-Wise, who made his Ludlow Festival directing debut in 2011 with Twelfth Night, returns to the festival this year with a brand new version of Much Ado About Nothing staged amongst the spectacular ruins of Ludlow’s medieval castle.
Charlie will also be joined by last year’s set and costume designer, Anthony Lamble and production manager Alex Weller.
Much Ado About Nothing this year will see the well loved Shakespeare comedy transported to WW2 Britain on VE Day.
It begins with soldiers returning victorious from battle and Charlie’s intention is to turn Ludlow Castle into a VE Day celebration party.
"I am thrilled to be taking the helm of the Shakespeare production at Ludlow for a second year,”
said Charlie.
“There is no location I know that can muster the same energy and excitement for theatre as Ludlow Castle itself. It has such a sense of theatre and spectacle that it is a natural home for the telling of Shakespeare’s stories.”
Charlie Walker-Wise trained as an actor at RADA and continues to juggle acting work with teaching at the famous training centre. In 2010, he played Rodrigo in Othello at Ludlow Festival and his production of Twelfth Night last year marked his first foray into directing a big show.
Last year it was necessary to put extra seating in for some of the performances in Ludlow Castle.
The festival runs from Saturday, June 23 to Sunday, July 10 at various venues in and around Ludlow.
Visit ludlowfestival.co.uk for more information.