Much Ado About Nothing

Ever since having fond memories of studying it in school, 'Much Ado About Nothing' became one of my favourites of Shakespeare's plays. Love everything about it, though it is very difficult to make Hero and Claudio interesting, because there is so much fun and charm, particularly great characters in Beatrice and Benedick, a story that never lets up on the entertainment value and Shakespeare's text is some of his loveliest and most amusing.

This 2012 Shakespeare Globe production is an absolute must for anybody who loves Shakespeare and 'Much Ado About Nothing'. While for me there isn't a bad production available of 'Much Ado About Nothing', this is an incredibly strong contender for the best one seen by this viewer. It has everything that makes the play as wonderful as it is, and it overcomes all the problems that comes with performing it in a way that no other production has.

Visually, this 'Much Ado About Nothing' is elegant and tasteful with great atmosphere and use of the space. There is a very evocative feeling with this production and one that feels like being transported to the period it was set in and performed in. The photography is intimate without being claustrophobic and does well at opening up the drama enough to not make it feel too much like a filmed play.

Shakespeare's text is as hilarious, moving and poetic as ever. The production is beautifully directed, bringing out things rarely if ever seen in productions of 'Much Ado About Nothing' while always being easy to follow (even when the action becomes more complicated) and accessible. Doing so while always making sense and never having any touches that are in poor taste or pointless. The comedy is witty and genuinely hilarious, the stage direction really shines in the back and forth between Beatrice and Benedick while not over-egging.

Yet the heart and emotion of the play are never lost (the more dramatic moments heartfelt), in a production where caring for Hero and Claudio was a lot easier than most productions seen and Beatrice's anger towards Claudio in the big later scene with Benedick seethes in intensity. The performances are uniformly wonderful, with indeed the best performances coming from Eve Best and Charles Edwards. Beatrice is the most interesting character and Best portrays her with cunning wit and bite, shining especially in her sizzling chemistry with Edwards, while later with intensity and poignancy. Edwards enjoys himself thoroughly and relishes the back and forth insults between him and Best in the first act, while showing dignified loyalty later.

It is easy to overlook the rest of the performers, but that shouldn't be the case. For we have a Claudio that is not a wet blanket and where his point of view is reasonable and understood. A Don John that is actually funny at times, usually unheard of in performances of 'Much Ado About Nothing' while also not diluting his sinister side. And a Dogberry that doesn't resort to scenery chewing or mugging to be hilarious. Hero, Leonato, Don Pedro and Antonio are beautifully portrayed too.

Overall, an absolute joy. 10/10.

The arrival of Don Pedro and his men at the home of Seigneur Leonato in Messina brings about much celebration. The spirit of love and happiness is alive in the party and Count Claudio and Leonato's daughter Hero make woo and engage to marry within a week. To pass the time Don Pedro makes a pledge to engage confirmed bachelor Benedick and the bickering Beatrice together in a tower of affection. However Claudio's brother, Don John, conspires to break up the wedding by making accusations against young Hero.

There is something about Christmas that makes me hanker for Shakespeare played across a lazy afternoon, warm inside my house while it is cold out; perhaps it is something to do with having the time to have 3 hours free in one block, but either way I do like the language and the sense of occasion that it brings to my Christmas. As such, this light fare seemed like a good choice and I had enjoyed the previous live performances from the Globe that I had seen recorded. The narrative here is as fragmented as I remember, and I do feel strange when enjoying the lesser characters and subplots more than the main dramatic thread (although I think it was written this way). As a result there are moments where the performance feels heavier than it would like – mostly it keeps things light and funny, but the drama is part of it. These parts feel a bit slower, but the production still does them well – mostly by virtue of how Claudio is played; his youthful shyness and passion help make his reactions seem reasonable.

Of course the main show is really two supporting characters in the drama of Claudio and Hero; those of Benedick and Beatrice. This subplot is given great life and energy by the performances from Eve and Edwards, who are not only great together but also individually. Best I only know from her turn in Nurse Jackie, and it was fun to see her so energetic and playful here – a lot of this is in her delivery and the production benefits from it. I saw Edwards recently in Blithe Spirit alongside Angela Lansbury and thought he was the best in that show, and here he has the same swagger and wit to him, making a very good Benedick. The only downside is that the show is never as good when they are not around – although smaller characters such as Dogberry are well delivered too, and add laughs.

At times it is a bit broad in the unwritten material and physical actions it adds to the text, but to be fair it does help keep a consistent sense of fun and energy in the show, thus producing what is a very lively and enjoyable production; in no small part thanks to the great turns from Eve and Edwards.

I agree that this was one of the best productions of All's Well that Ends Well that I have seen. The cinema production from the Globe enabled viewers to capture the performance better than those attending the event (particularly rain-soaked groundlings). The performance by Eve Best was outstanding, though all were first-rate. Eve Best showed perfect timing in a wonderful comic performance - a side of her acting I had not previously had the pleasure of experiencing. The Globe should be encouraged by the success of this production to more on-screen. The atmosphere enjoyed by those attending a live performance seems unlikely to damage takings. I for one would be happy to attend a live performance and then enjoy the cinema performance later-or vice versa.

This is an exciting and superb production in every respect. The actors are all in excellent form and well directed. Their grasp of the text and especially its pacing is just a pleasure as they make it work splendidly. This is where the basics of people and language come together to give an amusing and emotional experience.

No film version can get anywhere near to this experience. Films are always edited and simplified.

But the one ingredient that makes this comedy rise so very high is that of the audience. They react and sigh, laugh, and jeer, clap and give the feeling of being there and having a communal experience. The audience really add an extra layer of enjoyment and no doubt it's why laughter tracks were added to TV comedies to try to lend that quality of communal pleasure.

There is no point singling out certain names for mention here as everyone on the stage, behind it, with the camera, etc have all done a wonderful job.

Watch this and forget all other movie versions.

Very funny Shakespearean play presented in the Globe Theatre. A less tragic and humorous work by Shakespeare, even with some quite camp moments. Indeed, the two parallel love stories may fit each of those labels: tragedy and comedy. After a hilarious first half, it becomes slightly confusing, although with some good gags, in the third quarter, improving again in the end. All the cast is impressively talented, and art direction is a delight. Anyway, Charles Edwards and Eve Best have the most impressive performances, making spectator laugh all the time and playing with local public.