Quick Chats: David Daniel on Much Ado About Nothing

Welcome to our Quick Chats series, where we take a peek backstage and ask questions that are almost completely related to the show. Today, we're chatting with David Daniel, who plays Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Widely regarded as one of the Bard's wittiest plays, Much Ado centers on two couples and what brings them together and pulls them apart. Hero and Claudio are young and instantly enamored with one another. Beatrice and Benedick, on the other hand, spend their time together trading barbs and banter-always with an undertone of affection. Through the scheming of friends, the two are brought together, but less-than-friendly scheming threatens to divide both couples. This Shakespeare classic erupts with comedy and heart-felt moments. Now, let's hear from David. APT: Do you have a favorite piece of banter that gets tossed between Beatrice and Benedick? D: My favorite banter is actually their "love" banter after they've confessed their love for each other and Benedick has challenged Claudio to a duel for Beatrice's sake. It's their first date! I get to say "for which of my bad parts didst thou first fall in love with me?" and "suffer love" as well as my personal favorite "Don Worm".... David Frank and Colleen could not appreciate the finer aspects of that line during rehearsals (or perhaps it was my delivery?...no, definitely them!). APT: If you were to name a pet after a character from Much Ado, which would you pick, and what animal? D: I've always thought of Benedick as an Orangutan. He's very agile in his wit which orangutans don't appear to be (though if you are an orangutan reading this now, I apologize for the insensitive and specie-ist comment....and kudos for being able to log on and read a blog!), but nevertheless, they have a wonderful sense of being absolutely content in their beliefs. It is this natural contentment that I think so matches Benedick's own in regards to bachelorhood. APT: What's your favorite scene in Much Ado? D: Being on stage when Brian Mani and John Phillips have their go at the wedding scene. Some of my favorite language in Shakespeare. APT: Beatrice and Benedick are pretty much set up by their friends. Have you ever set up a friend on a date (or been set up)? D: No, not set up. I was asked out to lunch once. I hadn't the foggiest clue that it was a date until weeks later. No wonder it was such an odd conversation. That was some 18/19 years ago....who was that again?....Oh right! It was Colleen. APT: There's a fair amount of dancing in this play. Do you like to dance? D: One of my favorite parts of being an actor, and being a Classical actor in particular, is that I get to do so many things that I would never be able to do in the "real" world. Fencing, brawling, dancing, kissing the girl, speak poetically on the verge of death, stirring the hearts and minds of the people to revolt....all these and a thousand more! Having a waltz with three great ladies is near the top of that list. Much Ado About Nothing runs through October 5 on the Hill. For more information or to buy tickets, please visit http://americanplayers.org/plays/much-ado-about-nothing or call the Box Office at 608-588-2361. Photo: Carissa Dixon