An actor returning to the Orange Tree Theatre has taken on two of Shakespeare's most famous comic characters as part of the theatre's double bill of Love's Labour's Lost and Much Ado About Nothing.

James Sheldon plays Benedick Berowne in Much Ado About Nothing and in Love's Labour's Lost, with the two productions being staged as interconnected stories under the direction of Orange Tree Theatre Artistic Director Tom Littler.

The productions are being performed outdoors at Thomas's College on Richmond Hill as part of the theatre's summer series – OT on the Hill

Speaking to Nub News, Sheldon said the opportunity to play Berowne in both plays was particularly appealing because of the quality of the writing.

"Any actor who gets the opportunity to play Benedick will, in whatever situation," Sheldon admitted.

"He's such a lovely, beautifully written character, a beautifully written part with some really nice speeches and some really nice duologues."

Berowne also presents a major challenge, with Sheldon highlighting a lengthy speech at the heart of the character's story.

In the play, Berowne is regarded as the group's "whipsmart" and highly intelligent member, someone who can usually find a way around any problem.

However, after the men make a binding agreement, they find themselves needing a way out.

Sheldon said Berowne's lengthy speech sees him work through a solution while persuading the other men to follow his plan.

"It's just a beautiful bit of writing," he said.

Rather than presenting the plays as entirely separate productions, Littler's approach "stitches" the two stories together.

The characters from Love's Labour's Lost return in Much Ado About Nothing, with the story jumping forward six years.

Sheldon explained that the men have joined the RAF and return from their experiences to find that relationships have changed.

Nonetheless, the relationship between the character and Beatrice remains at the centre of the story.

"They are now still at loggerheads. They're still fighting," Sheldon added.

Some characters attempt to rekindle relationships from the first play, while others are pushed towards doing so despite initially being reluctant.

Sheldon said the two comedies have "strangely connected" similarities, with historical evidence suggesting Much Ado About Nothing may once have been considered a sequel to Love's Labour's Lost.

He believes the connection gives the productions a broader story about growing up and experiencing the realities of life.

The first play presents characters in their youth, full of confidence and believing they are almost invincible, before the second sees them return after the trauma of war.

"They're not as impregnable and powerful as they once thought," explained Sheldon, adding that the experience ultimately gives the characters "more of a power, more of a shield."

For Sheldon, one of the most enjoyable aspects of playing Berowne is his relationship with Beatrice (played by Phoebe Pryce).

He describes Berowne as someone who rarely meets people who can match his wit, until he encounters Beatrice.

"She is cleverer and witty and quicker than him and he cannot abide that, but also is so drawn to that," Sheldon said.

"She's his superior, she's the one that he can't win against, and that really draws him in."

The result is a relationship built around arguments, wordplay and mutual fascination.

The productions are also giving audiences the chance to experience Shakespeare outdoors.

The stage at Thomas's College includes a swing, jetty, boat and bar, with bunting and festoon lighting helping create the atmosphere.

Sheldon described the outdoor setting as "beautiful", particularly as the sun goes down and the surrounding college buildings become illuminated.

There are, Sheldon joked, occasional interruptions from planes and passing sirens, but the actor sees this as part of the charm of performing outside.

"You can reference it in the performance or ignore it," he said. "It's no different than someone coughing in a theatre."

To see James Sheldon and the rest of the cast in Orange Tree's double bill of Love's Labour's Lost & Much Ado About Nothing, which run until Saturday, 22 August, click here.

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