English Club visits DC for Shakespeare’s play ‘Much Ado About Nothing’

The West Virginia University English Club had what they hope will be the first of many traveling experience this past weekend.

Members of the club went to Sidney Harmon Hall in D.C. to see the Shakespeare Theatre Company's original production of Shakespeare's classic tale, "Much Ado About Nothing"Saturday.

The play, which explains in its title the overwhelming nothingness of the plot, is a comedy.

The story is mostly about the trials of love between two couples: Hero, an innocent young noblewoman; her suitor, Claudio, a lovesick war hero and Beatrice, Hero's quick-witted cousin; and her counterpart, the clever Benedick.

Before the play culminates in its happy ending, there are many plot twists and turns, but ultimately all the fuss made is really about "nothing."

The entirety of the play is filled with laughter and jokes, with several lyrical and musical numbers.

Abra Sitler, senior English student and president of the English Club, said she has an incredible appreciation for Shakespeare's work.

"Shakespeare's plays are timeless. The themes are ever-present and relevant in our lives today," she said.

Lisa Weihman, faculty adviser of the English Club, is also impressed with the success of the play and trip as a whole.

"The play was incredible, and we wouldn't have gotten this opportunity without Abra," she said. "Students try to make plans for opportunities like this but they never work out."

The club is fairly new but is growing in popularity and opportunities. Sitler hopes for this experience to be just one of many more to come.

"We really wanted to create an attainable play-going experience for WVU students, because it's not typically something that is financially available," Sitler said.

These opportunities are not limited to members of the English Club. This outing, for example, included about ten students, half of which are either non-members or non-English students.

"It is important for everyone to experience the theatre," Sitler said.

Because of the University affiliation, ticket prices were taken care of, and students were only responsible for setting up carpools for transportation.

For more information about these opportunities or about the English Club, feel free to contact adviser Weihman or Sitler.