A joyful, energetic and deeply engaging celebration of Shakespeare's beloved comedy
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What's it about?
One of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies, Much Ado About Nothing centres on two very different romances. While young couple Hero and Claudio prepare for marriage, sharp-tongued sparring partners Beatrice and Benedick insist they have no interest in love at all. But as rumours, deception and misunderstandings threaten to unravel both relationships, the characters must confront questions of trust, loyalty and forgiveness before finding their way to a (spoiler alert) happy ending.
What we loved best
Shakespeare's Globe is such a wonderful theatre to visit. Steeped in history and beautifully situated on the banks of the Thames, it provides the perfect setting to experience Shakespeare.
This is a wonderfully entertaining production that fully embraces the strengths of the Globe. From the moment the cast enter, the audience becomes part of the action. Actors move throughout the yard, hide amongst audience members and react spontaneously to audience responses, creating a playful and immersive experience that keeps the production feeling fresh and alive.
The play is essentially a tale of two halves. In Act 1 it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt in Act 2, and Director Chelsea Walker does a great job of seamlessly shifting the energy from humour to drama. The shaming scene of Hero is particularly shocking and impactful.
The casting of Beatrice and Benedick is excellent. Pippa Nixon and Ken Nwosu portray their characters as confident, intelligent and fiercely independent, while still allowing glimpses of the vulnerability that lies beneath their verbal sparring. They have great chemistry and really seem to be relishing playing up to the audience.
The live band is a great addition with music interwoven throughout the play, and the dance numbers are an unexpected delight.
Visually, the show works well. The animal-head disguises are fantastic and add another layer of theatrical fun to the proceedings.
Anything we'd change?
This is Shakespeare's Globe at its best: playful, inventive and completely engaging.
Who would enjoy it?
Shakespeare enthusiasts, first-time Globe visitors and anyone looking for an evening of great theatre. The production's humour, energy and audience engagement make it particularly welcoming for those who may be less familiar with Shakespeare's work.
Who created it?
Directed by Chelsea Walker and designed by Sami Fendall.
Verdict
By fully embracing audience interaction and breaking the 4th wall, this Much Ado About Nothing delivers both laughter and heart. A vibrant and thoroughly entertaining production with a fabulous cast, staged in an iconic London outdoor theatre.