This outdoor production of Shakespeare’s lively comedy Much Ado About Nothing is almost a musical version, but in the main a straightforward interpretation in the evocative setting of St Paul’s, the Actors’ Church in Covent Garden.
Opening with a bit of audience participation as maid Margaret (Katrina Michaels) pursues musician Borachio (Will Benyon) to a chorus of “Marry Me”, this evolves into a tale of love and treachery.
Don Pedro (Ryan Williams) has returned in triumph from conflict where he has lost “few [men] of any sort and none of name”. His companions, who stride onto the stage in suits and shades, are Benedick, Claudio, and Don John (Andy Cannadine).
The former is somewhat teased by Beatrice, niece of the house of Leonato (Keith Hill), the second seeks to woo the daughter and heir Hero (Thissy Dias), and the latter shows a villainous nature.
All the performances shine, but Beatrice (joanna Nevin) and Benedick (Martin South) are an excellent comic pair who hate to love each other, while Claudio (Lewis Jenkins) pines well.
There are moments regarding confidences and concealment which are well directed by Simona Hughes for the grassy space, surrounded on three sides by benches for the audience.
The church bell on the hour adds colour to the scenes with the men of the watch. The sound of the buskers and the music from the pedal-rickshaws adds competing but never unwelcome colour. Anything can happen outside.
This version of Much Ado About Nothing, though, does not necessarily need songs, and if it does, I felt a couple more might be added to flesh out the narrative.
It’s not easy to overlook the misogynistic elements of the play – Claudio and her father so quickly believe Hero to be unchaste and reject her.
To then be happy that he relents and marries her feels wrong in modern times. It’s better if she turns her heel, but that’s a different play!
Still, this production rightly ramps up the farce (the policemen are a joy, as is Hill’s Leonarto) and thrives on its duplicity in watching and waiting.
Moving Parts is run by Hughes, Nevin, and South and is assured in staging, sound, and, well, Shakespeare. I look forward to what they pick next. A Twelfth Night may be delightful?
You can catch this production of Much Ado About Nothing on the final stop of its tour at Keats’ House, London, at 2pm and 6pm on 27 Jul.
Follow Moving Parts and find out about this and future productions on their website.
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Image credit: Moving Parts – Instagram