Much Ado About Nothing means much ado about a lot of things to David Madew. Sunday March 5 is not far away, but Madew Wines has much more on its plate than its second Shakespeare production, again by Melbourne's Essential Theatre.
You might think the 40 weddings booked for the next 12 months would be enough. The setting for last year's A Midsummer Night's Dream now boasts tasteful curved low stone walls to complement the 2 huge willow trees which define the green-sward stage, making the acting area so attractive that young couples seem to feel they must perform there. Benedick and Beatrice never had it so good. Love doesn't exactly run smooth in Much Ado, but we shall see, anon, a racy production that the real marriages may emulate.
Talking to David Madew is to be caught up in a philosophical whirlwind. Fresh ideas spin around issues of practicality, and we finally reach a truism - that a quality process is essential for a quality product. "Riesling again shows well at the Madew site along with pinot gris and merlot - the region's alternative red variety to the almost uniformly successful shiraz," according to Sydney wine critic Peter Bourne discussing the 1995 vintage. I can personally attest to the very pleasant Belle Riesling 1993.
But, after being a finalist in 2002 in the Restaurant in a winery and Tourism Restaurant categories, Madew was the 2004 Winner - Restaurant in a winery - ACT/Southern NSW Region Restaurant & Caterers Awards for Excellence. His GrapeFoodWine Restaurant now has a new manager, Jenny O'Hagan, with a degree in graphic design (and a special interest in weddings), and a new chef will arrive from London in June, as yet incognito. So the wine and restaurant show quality in process and product.
But, like so many theatrical ventures in Australia, Madew has to budget careful to avoid numbers like Bell Shakespeare's $400,000 below the line that The Canberra Times reported recently. Looking at process, he is aiming to tailor his performance offerings to the times and to an audience seeking quality productions. This means smaller scale shows than his original Opera by George!, but more of them. Having successfully established Essential Theatre's Shakespeare in the Vines last year, 2006 will see the March 5 show and another in September / October. He has also moved a shed to allow outdoor film presentations from the restaurant balcony (and greatly improving the setting of the restaurant against the hills behind), and by testing ideas with care, he hopes to have 4 performance events next year, then 6 from 2008.
The measure of Madew's long-tem commitment, in which he plans to include professional theatre people and musicians from our region, can be seen growing next to the vines. His father has planted a variety of oak species - the ones which make good barrels - which will mature in 2095. He has also announced plans to stand for preselection against Steve Whan for the seat of Monaro, with support for regional arts, community and environment among his political objectives. His philosophy is to base his achievements on quality standards, aiming to be "popular, not populist."
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
Essential Theatre at Madew Wines (Lake George Wineries off Federal Highway)
Sunday March 5, lunch 1.30pm, performance 4pm. Details www.madewwines.com.au or Tel 4848 0026
Tickets limited to 300. Hero general admission $40, Claudio Hamper Package $60, Benedick Cocktail Package $65, Beatrice Lunch Package $80, Balthazar Total Package $100. Dogberry group bookings of 15 or more $40pp includes ticket in reserved area plus a bottle of wine for every 5 people booked.
© Frank McKone, Canberra
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