Review: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at Shakespeare’s Globe

Generally considered one of Shakespeare's greatest plays, Much Ado… is resolutely categorised as a comedy and sure enough the play contains some of the wittiest rejoinders the bard ever penned, but let us not forget the cruel and callous undoing of an innocent maiden in the second half, and that the menfolk (after throwing their hands in the air and lowering their chins in abject contrition) get to play nice with their womenfolk after being forgiven for some monstrously unforgivable behaviour.

Having known each other since childhood Beatrice (Pippa Nixon) and Benedick (Ken Nwosu) have fallen into a pattern of expressing mutual contempt. They take pleasure in sparring and disparaging each other — out of habit more than appetite. Meanwhile Claudio (Joshua John) and Hero (the aforementioned innocent maiden, played by Assa Kanouté) are destined for marriage but fall victims to a deceitful plot hatched by nobleman Don Pedro's jealous brother Don John (played by Adam Long and Joseph Potter respectively).

Hero's father Leonato (Jonathan McGuinness) is a decent chap and sees the benefit of her marrying well, but is just as judgemental when accusations of improper behaviour with men are levelled against his daughter by Claudio, who humiliates and degrades his betrothed at the alter. After protesting her innocence she faints, and a cunning plan is put in place through the sage advice of the Sister who was to marry them (Geraldine Alexander). After causing chaos and fleeing the scene, the villain is roundly rebuked in his absence and everyone gets on with marrying each other anyway and resuming their hitherto jolly lives. I always found the ending somewhat laughably convenient, but after the first half levity, it ties-up matters in a neat Shakespearean bow and sends us all home in a frivolous glow of goodwill to all men (and women).

The Globe's production may not have the star pulling power of Jamie Lloyd's 2025 production at Drury Lane (which boasted Tom Hiddleston and the magnificent Hayley Atwell) but it's still a joyfully boisterous crowd pleaser despite a few issues in vocal projection.

If you're tempted by director Chelsea Walker's open air, Elizabethan, comedic battle of the sexes, then MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING plays 2hours 30mins (including interval) and continues until 24th October at selected performances.

Much Ado About Nothing Tickets