Much alike in dignity: Full Circle and The Shakespeare Company make ‘Much Ado’ together

In artistic pursuits and content creation, collaboration has become noting short of a survival skill. 

And in Calgary’s not-quite-professional theatre scene, an unexpected union is leading to a production that’s much more than just ado about nothing.

This is the first co-production between Full Circle Theatre and The Shakespeare Company. For Full Circle, it’s their biggest partnership to date. It started, as many great theatre stories do, with an audition.

“The artistic director of Shakespeare Company, Richard Beaune, auditioned for us back in October,” says Full Circle co-artistic director Erin Weir. “At that point, we had had no discussions about a co-pro whatsoever.”

Beaune landed the role of Dogberry for Full Circle’s production of Much Ado About Nothing, and shortly after, his board suggested he seek out community collaborations. By chance, he was already in one.

“He actually approached Claire and I in December with the offer of a co-pro,” says Weir. “And we were over the moon.”

For Full Circle, it’s a leap forward. The indie collective first came together in 2010 and has built its name on grassroots shows, feminist takes on classics, and thrift-store creativity. Their 2024–25 season started with Porcelain Dolls, a raw, semi-autobiographical ensemble piece that resonated with audiences. But working alongside The Shakespeare Company has its perks.

“The Shakespeare Company has given us a little money and access to their advertising, access to their mailing list,” says Weir. “They’re posting on their social media too.”

It’s also a new chapter for The Shakespeare Company. Artistic Producer Richard Beaune, who took the reins in February following Haysam Kadri’s move to Alberta Theatre Projects, kicked off the season with the repertory productions of Twelfth Night and As You Like It.

While this production sets out to pay its cast and crew, it’s not a traditional arrangement. Weir says it’s a profit-share. “That means that we try to produce the show on as lean a budget as we can so that we have profits left over that we can split evenly amongst the cast and crew.”

To ensure nobody is paid “by my troth,” the show is a thrifter’s DIY dream. From $5 Value Village finds to tearaway pants traded for riser rentals, everything is either borrowed, bartered, or built with what’s on hand.

“I’m doing the costume design on the show, and I think we’ve costumed it for just over $300, which is an incredibly low budget for, I think, 22 costumes,” says Weir. Dogberry and Burgess may be “the most senseless and fit men for the constable of the watch,” but they do look the part thanks to matching Value Village uniform finds.

Set design follows the same spirit. New designer Zoe Bechtold created a multi-use set that transforms into different settings with minimal fuss.

“We borrowed every single piece of our set,” Weir laughs. “I don’t think we paid for a single piece of wood.”

But while the show isn’t technically a full professional production, the talent really is.

“We have collected a very talented, very professional group of friends, and we are bringing more people in every show,” Weir said.

Beatrice and Benedick are played by Riverona alumni Megan Baldrey and CJ Gordon. “They were both in Shakespeare in Love together,” she says. “I’ve known Megan since she was in high school and I was her student teacher.”

Joel David Taylor, a Betty-nominated actor, joins as Claudio. “We just sort of stumbled upon each other. These people just keep coming back to work with us.”

What’s next for Full Circle? Two more shows are coming next season, with announcements dropping on opening night. “We may be doing our next two shows in like a weird warehouse,” Weir hints.

“But my goal is to finally get us some financing… so that we can support these people and pay them in the way they deserve to be. Because this cast is incredible.”

Much Ado About Nothing runs at West Village Theatre from June 19 to 28. Tickets can be found here.

The Shakespeare Company, meanwhile, has a collaboration planned with Sage Theatre for Romeo and Juliet next season and is hosting its Bard in the Yard fundraiser gala party on July 26.

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