Deputy Editor Hannah Gadd reviews the RSC’s production of Much Ado About Nothing, finding it to be an immersive and brilliantly-executed modernisation of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy
On Tuesday night the RSC turned Messina into a world of top-flight football and celebrity scandal for a performance of the beloved comedy Much Ado About Nothing. Showing until the 24th May, the play follows Messina FC’s European Cup victory, a perfect landscape to observe the themes of love and rivalry unfolding.
As the audience took to their seats, the sounds of football commentary and typical fan chants played in the theatre, getting louder as we approached show-time. The performance kicked off (excuse the pun), with Claudio scoring the winning goal and the team heading on to the stage, which was decorated like a locker room. The attention to detail in the set design was incredible, and Jon Bausor must be applauded for immersing the audience within the play through the fantastic stage visuals. Complete with a bubbling jacuzzi and a DJ booth, it was one of the most impressive live theatre stages I’ve seen.
“The fusion of Shakespeare and modern celebrity culture was seamless in this performance
From the get-go Benedick (Messina FC captain) and Beatrice (sports broadcaster) establish their long standing dislike for each other, arguing humorously back-and-forth. Nick Blood and Freema Agyeman had excellent chemistry and brought the adverse lovers’ relationship to life captivatingly and comedically. Their story centres around the other characters’ tricking them into thinking the other is in love with them, resulting in lots of chaotic hilarity. A stand-out moment was Benedick shuffling around a massage table and diving into the jacuzzi in a pitifully amusing attempt to keep himself concealed whilst Leonato, Don Pedro and Claudio set the trap.
Whilst Benedick and Beatrice follow their enemies-to-lovers pipeline, Claudio and Hero are navigating their marriage. Following Messina FC’s victory, the characters enjoy a champagne-fuelled party during which Claudio proposes to Hero. At Leonato’s villa, Don John and Borchario come up with the malicious plan to trick Claudio into believing Hero has been unfaithful on the night before their wedding; for me, this is where the modernisation of the play really proved to be a benefit to the plot. Tabloids, celebrity scandals and troublesome hen-dos may seem out of place in a play published in 1660, but the cast and creatives made it work effortlessly.
“one of the most impressive live theatre stages I’ve seen
The scenes involving Messina’s policeman, collectively described as The Watch, were some of my favourite moments. Antonio Margo (Dogberry) and Nick Cavaliere (Verges) delivered a shining performance: their physical comedy and humorous dynamics were delightful to watch. After rumbling Don John and Borchario’s spiteful scheme, the play starts to wrap up. In true Shakespearean fashion, the comedy ends with loved-up marriages- which of course were live streamed on television. After the characters celebrated their happy endings, the actors took their final bows, receiving rapturous applause and cheers from the audience.
The fusion of Shakespeare and modern celebrity culture was seamless in this performance; the world of professional football was a spectacular one to tell this story in and it was executed brilliantly by the entire cast and creative team. If seeing the House of Leoco belt out karaoke classics and handle an online cancellation sounds compelling, then I encourage you to see Much Ado About Nothing during this run of shows.
Rating: 5/5
Much Ado About Nothing plays at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon until the 24th of May 2025. Book your tickets here.
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