Much Ado About Nothing

This was a very good production, the best play I have seen Theydon perform. Resisting the temptation to play for laughs, they let the language speak for itself, albeit emphasised with some broad playing. I liked the updating of the play, setting it in England at the end of the First World War, with appropriate costumes and set. I liked the idea of the Watch being women and suffragettes to boot – tying in very nicely with the current anniversary.  The production was fun but also there was a genuine feeling of malcontent from Don Juan's trickery, giving a clear contrast. Both the gulling scenes worked well and were funny. The first wedding scene was very good with some real raw emotions on display as Claudio rejects Hero. There was much fun to be had in Beatrice and Benedick’s exchanges and these scenes were strong. A very good set and period costumes enhanced the production, especially the men's Mess Dress uniforms.

There was a very good pace to the production but, importantly, without losing any of the pointing.There had obviously been much hard work undertaken to make this such an understandable and entertaining show. The production was of a high standard; accessible, fun, and moving.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.