Much Ado About Nothing
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Jamie Lloyd Company
Until Saturday 5th April
Quite honestly, it has now been a week since I took a trip to London and saw Much Ado About Nothing at the glorious Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and yet when I think back to it, I still break into a broad grin. It was soooo much fun.
Shakespeare is marmite to many, including myself. There is nothing more tedious than watching a below par production, however when a theatrical experience is as good as this, there is no comparison.
Much Ado is undoubtedly my personal favourite of Shakespeare’s comedies. I have seen it performed several times, set in Italy, in a luxury spa, in modern day and by a cast that were supposedly s**tfaced, but this offering is completely off the scale as director Jamie Lloyd has created not just a unique setting but a whole new vibe!
The theme is a 90’s disco with music loudly being played before the show and during the interval to get you in the mood (even the ushers get involved). There is no scenery and minimal props and yet Soutra Gilmour’s set is stunning with the Theatre Royal’s vast stage completely awash with vibrant pink tickertape which continues to steadily fall during the performance. Scene changes are denoted by klaxon and corny dance routines. No, it shouldn’t work, and yet it does.
A world away from Lloyd’s recent production of The Tempest, this time the cast (largely the same) look and act as though they are having a ball. Mason Alexander Park who stood out in The Tempest wows us once again as they croon 90s anthems as the character Margaret. Mara Huf and James Phoon once again play star- crossed lovers, but the headliners this time are Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell as Benedick and Beatrice. They are utterly perfect together, skilfully delivering Shakespeare’s witty waspish lines, sparring each other beautifully until they are tricked and realise that the attraction they feel between each other is love.
There are so many wonderful moments in this production. The insults are given new life, the whole look is refreshingly simple yet memorable, the dancing is so entertaining, the music is pumping, and slapstick comedy was hilarious. I keep remembering bits and wishing I could relive it all once again. With tickets almost sold out, I doubt that I will get the chance, I really hope it was filmed. This was truly theatre at its best.
Reviewer: Sammi O’Neill
Photo: Marc Brenner