Shakespeare’s romantic comedy is a big hit at the Theatre Royal
Northern Broadsides & New Vic Theatre Feb 2019 Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare Directed by Conrad Nelson Designer Liz Evans Lighting Designer Daniella Beattie Music Director Bex Hughes Robin Simpson/Benedick Isobel Middleton/Beatrice Sarah Kameela-Impey/Hero Linford Jonhson/Claudio Matt Rixon/Pedro Simeon Truby/Leonato Sophia Hatfield/Margaret Anthony Hunt/Borachio Rachel Hammond/Ursula Heather Phoenix/Conrade Andrew Whitehead/Antonio David Nellist/Dogberry Robert Wade/Balthazar Richard J Fletcher/Don John James McClean/Messenger ©NOBBY CLARK +44(0)7941-515770 +44(0)20-7274-2105 nobby@nobbyclark.co.uk
REVIEW
“Much Ado About Nothing”, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, Tuesday, April 2
Love and romance, deceit and lies, laughter and music.
The wonderful, twisting and turning of the plot is played out magnificently and triumphantly by the cast of 15.
Northern Broadsides’ production is a delight with comic moments sprinkled like gold dust throughout along with a dispersal of delightful, fun musical interludes.
Transposed to the end of the Second World War Shakespeare’s romantic comedy captured the hearts of the audience.
It’s set six years after the war is finally over and returning soldiers swap the booming battlefield for a landscape of love, masked balls and much-needed laughter.
Two young dreamers (Hero and Claudio played by Sarah Kameela Impey and Linford Johnson) fall head over heels, while two others (Benedick and Beatrice in the shape of Robin Simpson and Isobel Middleton) resume their combative courtship.
Faithful friends plot romance and a vengeful brother plots destruction. It’s a story that keeps you transfixed as the climax to the Bard’s tale sees a bunch of bumbling incompetents expose the villains.
Simpson and Middleton take the honours for their stand out performances in their unusual, and at times tense and strained relationship, while Matt Rixon as Don Pedro, Andrew Whitehead as Antonio and Simeon Truby as Leonato also shine.
“Much Ado About Nothing” continues at the Theatre Royal until Saturday, April 6.