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.

Latest User Review

158.234.250.71) - 20 September 2006:

This 1 hour abridgement (preceded by an abridged Henry V) is a very fresh production, set in 1950s Italy & played with great brio. It shared a simple stepped set with Henry, with effective dropdowns & other props to vary the scenes. Good use of music & the occasional dance sequence kept the atmosphere bustling until the central deception & Claudio's denouncement of Hero changed the mood entirely. The watchmen's comic interrogation helped lighten the 2nd half until the kiss & make up ending. (In a modern context it feels wrong that she takes him back, but I guess Elizabethans had different values.) Benedick was played with great comic effect in the earlier scenes, smoothly switching to gravitas when later required to defend Hero's honour. His Beatrice started off very Shrew like, but took less time to 'melt' - whilst remaining a strong character. The prince acted regally throughout (born to command) & old Leonato provided a solid/wise backing to the convolutions of the plot. In fact the whole of the fairly large cast acted with a confidence & ensemble coordination which belied their age & experience of the large stage. The excellent finale, with a Jerry Springer style pre-wedding dance and a visual ‘snap’ joke to close, had the (admittedly mostly biased) 1st night audience baying for more. I highly recommend this production and its co-run with Henry V. ...

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