Much Ado About Nothing

Synopsis

After civil war Messina seems to have returned to peace with few casualties and a courtship holds the promise of reconciling the battle of the sexes in a well matched wedding. But the reconciliation's have been too hurried and soldiers can't return to the civilian world overnight.

Our Review:

8 July 2005

Much has been made by one or two critics of the ‘darkness’ of this production of the play, which many remember as a sunlit romp in Kenneth Branagh’s hands some years back.

True, the verbal sparring between Benedick and Beatrice early on fails to take wing, and it is only in the scenes in which the inevitable couple are duped into thinking the other is fathoms deep in love with them that the pulse quickens; but dark it ain’t.

Aden Gillett and Janie Dee, back for this the third Peter Hall season at Bath, are fine comic actors. But while Gillett is deft, he conveys little sense of passion. The excellent Philip Voss, a fine Jacques here two years ago, does not find the rage that Gary Waldhorn brought to the role of Leonato, Governor of Messina, in Gregory Doran’s excellent production for the RSC three years ago.

That said, there’s much to enjoy; not least Charles Edwards as Don Pedro. The final scene where he slinks off in disgust, alone and into the night, af...

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Latest User Review

81.86.106.82) - 3 August 2005:

a superbly clear, moving production janie dee is excellent with aden gillet a fine benedick .excellent casting throughout....

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