"ShakespeaRe-Told" Ep. 1 (in the U.S.)

I found last night's version of "Much Ado About Nothing" on BBC
America delightful. I'm always happy to see Damian Lewis after
seeing his excellent work in "Band of Brothers" and "The Forsyte
Saga." Nice to see him have the chance to do comedy, of which
there were some sterling examples in this show.

I wasn't familiar with Sarah Parish, but she was very good, too.
(I see that she co-starred with Robson Green in a short-run series
called "Trust." I don't know how I managed to miss that one, assuming
that BBCA ran it, so I'll have to keep watch for reruns.)

Oh, and I loved the updated Dogberry character, Mr. Berry, the
company security guard!

The script (which had only a few lines from Shakespeare) was appropriately
witty and poignant at different times. Yes, they did change the last part
of the story; in modern England, "My daughter died from heartbreak so you
have to atone by marrying my niece" wouldn't work too well. :-) So the
changes didn't bother me.

Anyway, I look forward to "Macbeth" next week and the other two after

jayembee...

"The Taming of the Shrew" is the standout of the four. There are

onderly...

I found Rufus Sewell very, very thrilling as Petruchio.

also a couple of "side" episodes that aren't direct adaptations
of Shakespeare's plays but are "inspired" by his work. They're
also quite good. I don't if BBCA will be showing those.

that.