Review: Much Ado About Nothing ****
This fresh, vibrant and very funny production of one of Shakespeare’s late comedies is a joy from start to finish.
Many in the audience will probably never view nuns in quite the same light again after the hilarious way they are depicted in this sometimes bizarre and always novel adaptation of the play, directed with gusto by Richard Tunley. Those familiar with the play will know that there are no nuns in the work Shakespeare penned in about 1600.
Their introduction here (they take the place of the Watchmen of Messina) is not the only welcome liberty Tunley has taken with the original play. The action takes place in the Messina of 1943 from where the Allied soldiers have driven out the German-Italian forces.
Such changes strengthen this production and do not detract from the main thrust, the “merry war” of the sexes, infidelity, and, of course, deception. The inclusion of Americans here allows Tunley to introduce American music of the 1940s in between scenes. Marvellous.
The relationships between Benedick and Beatrice, and Claudio and Hero are obviously key and in this production they hit the right key almost every time. Brian Smith gives a brilliantly comic performance as Benedick, complemented by Marie-Claire Costley as Beatrice.
Much of the comedy in the play relies not so much on the action but on the characters and the way they relate to each other. Here those relationships are portrayed with great humour whilst for much of the time the action is played out as a kind of farce or romp.
Back to the nuns, who include Sister Mary Sophia Loren and Sister Mary Lolla Bridgeta. I kid you not.
In a strange way they captured the essence of the humour of this play and lit up the night. The production continues until 17th July.
Peter Collins (South Wales Echo | 10/07/2010)