Much to Do about Noting

By Jonathan Jones

Saturday, July 2, 2011

I've seen many a production of Shakespeare in my theatre going days, and by far, my favorite place to see the works are at Shakespeare's Globe. There is no contrived setting put upon the play; no anachronistic costumes or set pieces to evoke some other time or place. The plays are presented as they should be: so the words speak for themselves, and the players truly play and invite the audience to join in on the fun.

This latest reinvention of Much Ado (my third viewing at the Globe) did not disappoint. The acting was almost entirely flawless; particularly Eve Best, whose Beatrice was indeed luminous. The hissing from the audience just before the interval at the close of Act III, Scene II (directed at Don John, delighted at the success of his plot to defame Hero) bespoke the joy with which we as audience members exuded having been so deeply connected to the stage action. 

Needless to say, the work is less fun than it had been with Mark Rylance nearly ten years ago, but my smile rarely vacated my face as the noting and trivial playfullness of "nothing: unfolded.