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The different roles of the director
Teaching, explaining, developing an appropriate rhythm and pace for the play as a whole, ensuring audibility and good readings of Shakespeare’s script, and resolving practical or technical problems are all part of Nick Hytner’s job as director of Much Ado About Nothing. But above all, Nick has to challenge the actors to behave truthfully on the stage. |
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Nick Hytner on his rehearsal process
A week or so was spent sitting round a table reading and discussing the play. Then they got it ‘up on its feet’, going through the play several times; first to understand it, then to memorise it, and later to perfect all the nuances of the performance. |
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All the director has to go on is what Shakespeare wrote
Nick Hytner explains how modern editions of Shakespeare’s plays have added in punctuation and stage directions that Shakespeare didn’t put in himself. Although he often gives clues in the words that are spoken (like Benedick’s line “In my chamber-window lies a book: bring it hither to me in the orchard”) almost all decisions about specific stage directions, settings and other activities on stage are made production by production. |
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Directing in action: 'What man was he talked with you yesternight?'
Nick Hytner (the director) suggests a particular way that Daniel Hawksford (playing Claudio) might say one of his lines. How much of this suggestion is carried across to Daniel’s performance in the actual production? |
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Directing in action: 'Lady, were you her bedfellow last night?'
As Gary Pillai (the Friar) interrupts Oliver Ford Davies (Leonato), Nick Hytner (the director) suggests that Friar gets in between Oliver and Susannah (Hero) in a more assertive way. How much of this suggestion is carried across to Gary’s performance in the actual production? |
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Directing in action: 'Hear me a little ...'
As Gary Pillai rehearses the role of the Friar, director Nick Hytner suggests that he play more of the section directly towards Hero; how much of this suggestion is carried across to Gary’s final performance in the actual production? |
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Directing in action: 'Call me a fool, trust not my reading nor my observations ...'
Nick Hytner encourages Gary Pillai (the Friar) to make more of a list of why Leonato should agree with the Friar’s confidence in Hero. How much of this suggestion is carried across to Gary’s final performance in the actual production? |
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