Shakespeare Festival Coming to Davis Camp

Jerry Seinfeld wasn’t the first to make a hit show “about nothing;” William Shakespeare was.

Tri-state residents will be treated to a performance of “Much Ado About Nothing”  at the Davis Camp Park pavilion as part of the Arizona Shakespeare Festival’s (ASF) 22-stop statewide tour.

According to an ASF release, “ASF was founded in Prescott in 1999” by Tracey Mason and Kelly Johnston. In “Much Ado About Nothing,” “four actors, playing all the roles, tell this beloved comedy of love, betrayal, and sinister rebels in a modern(ish) setting.”        

“This is our second statewide tour,” Johnston states in the release. “Our directors have the freedom to take the playwright’s work and make it exciting, engaging and relevant to modern day audiences while holding on to the language, poetry and deep artistry that is William Shakespeare.”

“Now that we have the large lawn and pavilion at Davis Camp, we have an excellent venue for this kind of event,” Mohave County Parks Manager Shawn Blackburn said. “We hope to do many more such artistic endeavors that are free to the public and a benefit to the cultural desires of residents. The audience for Shakespeare is out there and I am sure they will be as excited as we are about this opportunity.”

The play will be performed on the lawn level for the audience’s close-up enjoyment, he said. “Although the players will wear contemporary attire, the performance will be classic Shakespeare.

“I am encouraging school groups to come,” Blackburn said. “I’ve contacted schools in Kingman, Dolan Springs, Golden Valley, Bullhead City, Golden Shores, Needles, Laughlin, Mohave Valley…. wherever there are those who would enjoy this educational entertainment opportunity. We hope individuals, families and organized busloads will show up. 

“We will open the South Beach entrance by the Colorado River Historical Museum (just north of the Laughlin Bridge on Highway 95) for those who want to attend,” he said. “Entrance to the pavilion area for this performance will be free. ASF receives sponsorship from individuals and businesses as well as grant funding from the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Their performance will be free to the public; however donations are always appreciated by the Festival.

“We hope to have good attendance at this free unique event to help showcase our pavilion area,” Blackburn said. “Call me at (928) 757-0915 for more information.”

Date and Time : Sunday, Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. until noon.

Venue : Davis Camp Park pavilion.