A rousing live swing band welcomes the audience to Much Ado About Nothing and wonderfully sets the tone for the night, as the spectacular set instantly transports you to the Italian Riviera’s Hotel Messina, where love is in the air and drama is never far.
Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy of new beginnings is set in the 1930s art deco hotel where glamorous women swan around in fabulous outfits, the happy-go-lucky staff are clad in pastel uniforms and there’s an air of celebration as the soldiers have just arrived in town.
The whimsical era forms the perfect backdrop for two romances – starstruck lovers Hero (Ioanna Kimbook), the daughter of Hotel Messina’s owners, and her handsome soldier Claudio (Eben Figueiredo) – but it’s the will they, won’t they romance between Hero’s feisty cousin Beatrice (Katherine Parkinson) and Benedict (John Heffernan) which entertains the audience. Fooled into declaring their love for one another, it’s a game of brilliant banter, deceit and slapstick comedy moments for the latter, especially their eavesdropping scenes, which have the audience in hysterics.
A light-hearted take on an old favourite, The National’s Much Ado About Nothing is a brilliant and entertaining summer comedy.
Director Simon Godwin cleverly breathes new life into the Shakespearean play with the talented and diverse ensemble cast all given their moment to shine.
The female cast is particularly strong, even supporting members such as Olivia Forrest as the new security guard Georgina Seacole – who also stuns with her angelic voice – and Marcia Lecky, who plays Lady Justice. Lecky’s air of sophistication and trusty cane channelling Lady Danbury from Bridgerton vibes. The male leads all hold their own too and Ashley Zhangazha cuts a powerful figure as Don Pedro, forming an entertaining bromance with Figueiredo, whose London-accented delivery instantly gives his character a modern edge.
As the unfolding action takes place in the lavish hotel set, Anna Fleischle’s stage design is a triumph in gorgeous blush pinks and cool mints with gold accents. The big-budget mobile set is breath-taking, popping up and whirling around to reveal hidden parts of the hotel, from stylish bedrooms to an opulent public bath.
The first half of the production (two hours and 30 minutes including an interval) is a joy, especially as it ends with a tense cliff-hanger.
While the second act is not as pacy, it’s still filled with comedy moments – largely by the brilliant security chief Dogberry (David Fynn) – but it also takes a tragic turn. Cue a haunting funeral procession and a promise of marriage graveside, before the final scenes, which are anything but predictable.
A light-hearted take on an old favourite, The National’s Much Ado About Nothing is a brilliant and entertaining summer comedy.
