As a heatwave sweeps across the nation and with temperatures around the high 30s in London, the weather is certainly more akin to the Mediterranean. So it feels a touch fated that the National Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, set in Sicily, should open on this hottest of weeks, writes Christopher Peacock.
Director Simon Godwin’s production locates the show in early 20th century Sicily at the Hotel Messina. The action begins with the local army returning from a victorious battle and are hosted by Antonia and Leonato at their family-run hotel. The soldiers’ return sparks love in the air between their daughter Hero and a young soldier, Claudio. Meanwhile, Leonato and Antonia’s niece Beatrice re-ignites her teasing of another of the soldiers, Benedick. What follows is a host of gossiping and hearsay where the likes of General Don Pedro play matchmaker whilst his illegitimate brother Don John only takes joy from being a heartbreaker.
The setting in the hotel creates plenty of scope for farcical humour with multiple entrances and exits and ultimately plenty of places for people to hide and eavesdrop. Anna Fleishle’s set accompanied by Evie Gurney’s costume is wonderful in not only placing us in early 20th century Sicily but also beautifully assisting the comedy so much so that the hotel feels like a character in its own right. Astute direction from Godwin and the cast’s interaction with the set design work wonders for this story of miscommunication and what has been noted or not.
David Flynn fulfils the clown role of Dogberry with aplomb. Freed in styling and forgiven for any upstaging, all of his scenes drew laughter from the audience and these scenes that can feel like interludes are executed well. John Heffernan as Benedick is possibly the brightest performance in a cast that feels more of an ensemble. Eben Figueiredo’s Claudio is played more urban youth than Italian soldier, however, the cadence and flow of his modern inner-city London tongue work neatly with the Shakespearean verse and his performance also has heart and earnestness.
It comes as no surprise that Godwin has directed Shakespeare throughout his career. His experience guides the cast and gives them the confidence to take risks and chances that pay off in entertainment for the most part. The set pieces are all handled well but some of the romance fails to convince. This is most likely down to casting choices and decisions to focus more on easy laughs rather than chemistry.
Much Ado is perhaps one of the most accessible of Shakespeare’s comedies and this polished production will certainly win fans.
This production will be screened in UK cinemas via NT Live from 8th September.
National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 until 10th September. Times: Mon-Sat 7.30pm; Wed & Sat matinees 2.15pm. Admission: £20 – £89.
Booking: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk – 020 3989 5455
