Much Ado About Nothing
23 August 2024
The Globe Theatre
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Much Ado About Nothing, one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, just finished its run at the Globe Theatre. This production took the well known play and gave it a sparkling new dress, turning the stage into a sprawling orange grove.
Set in Messina, an idyllic Italian town, the play revolves around young lovers Claudio and Hero, tricked into devastating slander by a jealous villain, and staunch bachelors Beatrice and Benedick, whose sharp wit and banter defines the comedy’s personality.
With gorgeous costumes and the beautiful set, it’s a visual spectacle as well as a rich staging of the play. Beatrice and Benedick are the absolute defining factors, and richly played by Amalia Vitale and Ekow Quartey respectively. Vitale commands the audience’s attention with every word and gesture, beautifully portraying Beatrice in all her facets and quick wit, turning a simple shrug of the shoulders into a devastating attack on self-assured Benedick. In his turn, Quartey expertly interacts with patrons to bolster his words, twisting them around his fingers with a nod, a look, an exasperated sigh. The interplay between these two is delicious to witness and the definite highlight of a production that boasts a strong cast all around.
Another fantastic visit to the Globe!
