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:

2 June 2009

The Regent's Park season kicks off with Shakespeare's witty battle-of-the-sexes comedy and Timothy Sheader's fast-paced take on the story provides plenty of laughs even if there are a few patchy moments.

We meet one of these right from the start. One of the challenges facing the director is to explain why it is that Don John's unlikely tale of Hero's infidelity is believed. By starting with John manacled for his unspecified crime, the court is immediately alerted to the fact that he is, indeed, a plan dealing villain – scarcely much of a character reference when he tries to spin his yarn.

Nor does Sean Campion's Benedick raise the spirits: this is a man renowned for his rapier-like wit but Campion is too pat with his repartee. Maybe it's the Irish accent, but his patter-like delivery is more like a night club comic than the sardonic joker who delights his regiment.  Once he's been deceived by Pedro and the others into loving Be...

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Latest User Review

Cathy - 7 June 2009:

Wonderful setting for this play. I really enjoyed it. Well acted and very funny. Advise you take a coat though or you'll be a bit distracted by the cold!...

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