You're right - Thompson's interpretation of Beatrice lacked any real mirth. In fact, in so many ways, her Beatrice was more tired than mirthful.

Frankly, I'm thinking that when a play like MAAN is played more for laughs, the sober statements tend to stand out and sing a little more clearly. For example, reading the play, one can get a clue to the almost violent Leonato going after his daughter once she's been shamed by Claudio. But seeing that happen in the midst of a production that has to that point been so upbeat really makes it stand out.

So go ahead and say more. In this particular case, it's intriguing to have two very different interpretations of the same set of words. There's a lot that could be said of how much like life this difference could be.

But that's another discussion altogether...