It was a balmy Friday evening and the queue of audience was waiting outside the Fort Canning Hill gates to be admitted for Singapore Repertory Theatre’s (SRT) offering of Shakespeare’s well-known comedy Much Ado About Nothing. Armed with picnic baskets filled to the brim, blankets, towels, ground sheets and even low chairs, the queue was buzzing wth excitment and cheer. Afterall, SRT, known for its slick shows peopled by big-billing performers, directors and production designers, promises its audience “A fun-filled frolic in the park”.

One cannot help but note that the emphasis here is on having a good time. So what about quality theatre? Well, no one ever said the two cannot co-exist. Especially when it comes to SRT and the fact that normal priced tickets are not that cheap.

Upon entering the performance grounds, I was greeted by the sight of the highly realistic set constructed onto the gentle grassy slope. It looked like a section of a grand estate and had cemented steps complete with big ________________ windows and a swimming pool. (I am still looking for the word to fill in the blank. The windows are made from wood and have wooden slats slanted at 45 degree angles inside the frames instead of glass. I am positive there is a name for this type of window. Vaguely remember reading somewhere about it.)

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