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.
