One of Shakespeare's most winning comedies, Much Ado About Nothing opend 19th Stratford Festival season last night with (left to right) Eric Donkin as(...)

Original Toronto Star caption: One of Shakespeare's most winning comedies; Much Ado About Nothing opend 19th Stratford Festival season last night with (left to right) Eric Donkin as Don Pedro; Joyce Campion as Usula and Blaine Parker as Balthasar. Critic Urjo Kareda found too many weak performances in William Hutt's producetion but says it's repairable if the company will allow Jane Casson (as Beatrice) to show then they eway to the comedy's enchantement. Alan Barlow's designs throw the production off badly; says Kareda; and the actors end up being merely pretty.