The summer season at Shakespeare’s Globe has begun with a burst of southern Italian colour, even though the weather in London hasn’t got the memo that our grey winter must begin to take its leave. But no matter, the first show of the programme, Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Sean Holmes (Associate Artistic Director of the Globe), is a visual and lyrical fantasy that will override any lingering cold you may be feeling.

Set in picturesque Messina and largely in the grounds of the estate of Count Leonato (John Lightbody), Don Pedro (Ryan Donaldson) who is the Prince of Aragon and his companions are returning from war to stay for a while. Their arrival is welcomed by the household, although met with annoyance by Leonato’s niece Beatrice (Amelia Vitale) who has historically locked into a battle of cruel banter with Benedick (Eklow Quartey), one of Don Pedro’s main men whenever they meet. The pair who individually denounce the prospect of marriage and personal romantic pursuits do, however, take great interest in the love lives of those around them, as do seemingly all in the household with each becoming an intern for cupid during their time in the house. What follows is an outrageous series of events that only Shakespeare could have come up with.

For those unfamiliar with the play, Much Ado is probably one of the more accessible of Shakespeare comedies and the foundation of any romantic comedy set at a wedding. Love becomes tangled in convoluted matchmaking and moral high ground about the institute of marriage while friendship, family and loyalty are challenged. It is human and ridiculous, which is why it is always a crowd favourite.

In Holmes’ latest interpretation of the play, the comedy is embraced fully with each character being given space to shine. Not only does the company proficiently grasp the quick witted text but they have found a physicality of it through staging and performance that possesses a clown-like charm of that of the old greats demonstrating a great partnership between Holmes and Movement Director Tamsin Hurtado Clarke. It is flamboyant and slapstick with a heart and power that shades the lightness of the plot with enough darker undertones to give it that bit of weight as well.

The pairing of Vitale and Quartey as the iconic Beatrice and Benedick is superbly cast. The feisty relationship between the two characters is a central pin holding the story and requires a fully embodied tension and chemistry, which is undoubtably present in this instance. Vitale has the strength of Beatrice in bucket loads yet enough vulnerability to make her warm as well. During her disarming “If I were a man" speech, she deservedly gets a reaction from the audience that, if she were an army general, they would follow. Quartey brings a flair to Benedick and finds a beautiful balance between his jocular side and honest integrity.

Jonnie Broadbent as The Constable of the Watch, Dogberry, is pure joy to watch as a camp and incompetent authority who becomes an unlikely hero within the messes made by others. Lydia Fleming and Adam Wandsworth as the youthful Hero and impressionable Claudio do well with characters that are less attention grabbing as some of the others, while Robert Mountford as the illegitimate brother of the Prince, Don John, gives an appropriate austere interpretation of the scheming villain of the story. Lightbody as Leonato and Donaldson as Don Pedro are equally as entertaining in their roles.

Designer Grace Smart must be commended on the truly beautiful set full of crates of oranges, cobalt blue and citrus colours coupled with costumes supervised by Jackie Davis and a clever team of makers that bring pleasure to this theatrical experience before a word is spoken. The accompanying music composed by Grant Olding offers the the right note to firmly place us on the Mediterranean island.

Seeing a show at the Globe Theatre is an experience in itself but is made all the more sweeter when it is to see a show with as much spirit and energy as this production of Much Ado About Nothing. What a way to beckon in the summer!

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Stephanie Osztreicher

Much Ado About Nothing plays at Shakespeare’s Globe until 24 August, with further info here.