CurtainUp
CurtainUp

The Internet Theater Magazine of Reviews, Features, Annotated Listings
www.curtainup.com


HOME PAGE

SITE GUIDE

SEARCH

REVIEWS

REVIEW ARCHIVES

ADVERTISING AT CURTAINUP

FEATURES

NEWS
Etcetera and
Short Term Listings


LISTINGS
Broadway
Off-Broadway

NYC Restaurants

BOOKS and CDs

OTHER PLACES
Berkshires
London
California
New Jersey
DC
Philadelphia
Elsewhere

QUOTES

TKTS

PLAYWRIGHTS' ALBUMS

LETTERS TO EDITOR

FILM

LINKS

MISCELLANEOUS
Free Updates
Masthead
Writing for Us

A CurtainUp London London Review
Much Ado About Nothing



For man is a giddy thing and this is my conclusion.—Benedick
Much Ado About Nothing
Simon Russell Beale as Benedick and Zoë Wannamaker as Beatrice
(Photo: Catherine Ashmore)
With the stellar pairing of stage experts Simon Russell-Beale and Zoe Wannamaker, there is little escaping the sense that this Much Ado will be the stuff of theatrical history . Well-loved acting paragons, extensively experienced in Shakespeare, comedy and the stage, this Benedick and Beatrice are a director's dream. Nevertheless, Nicholas Hytner does not simply rely on this advantage but, in a refreshingly classic version, he creates a convincingly well-rounded, captivating production.

Flooded with Mediterranean light, Vicki Mortimer's set design cleverly accentuates the themes of overhearing, misdirection and deception. Tall, slated wooden pillars separate the sections of a revolving stage which is surrounded by balconied windows. In this way, the set nicely facilitates the many scenes of peripheral involvement, where characters listen in to others' dialogues and are deceived by imperfectly understood eavesdropping.

The design and direction also create a persuasive sense of well-to-do, rustic Italian social realism. There is a brick-paved ground and background cricket chirping and servants bustle as if actually completing their daily chores. Cleverly controlled and kept in the background, this naturalism nevertheless lends the air of a household infiltrated by unaccustomed guests. Another result of the direction and design working cleverly together is in generating the sense of social hierarchy. For example, one scene is set in Don Pedro's (Julian Wadham) rather luxurious bedchamber, attended by his followers and enjoying the full accoutrements due to his rank. Soon after, when his less privileged brother Don John (Andrew Woodall) pronounces his most embittered "I am a plain-dealing villain" speech, he sits alone upon a makeshift camp bed.

Although imbued with its own powerful personality, the production ethos does not detract or compete with its cast. In fact, giving them a suitable amount of space, the emphasis is on strong, unstifled performances and characters. Furthermore, the stage dynamic is very apt, complementing the audience's consciousness generated outside of the play. Much Ado is one of those plays where what is essentially a subplot hijacks the action, emotion and comedy to become the central interest of the play. With two much-loved professionals taking on the parts of Benedick and Beatrice, the weight of the audience's expectation means that they are the focal point even before they begin to show off their prowess.

And this prowess is indeed breathtaking. Simon Russell-Beale makes the most engaging Benedick, with affecting charm, well-delivered wit and hilarious slapstick. In view of this performance, he has every claim to be seen as our leading Shakespearean actor with astounding versatility, emotive skill and a voice with powerfully-ranged timbre. Zoe Wannamaker boasts a great air of assurance as she pronounces her witty sententiae, a character obviously accustomed to her place at the centre of attention. Nevertheless, although shrewish, her Beatrice is also nostalgic. This is fully in keeping with the rest of the production, where the romance is all the more moving because the comedy is controlled and tempered with poignancy.

With a superb cast and close alliance between direction and design, this is a melodic, heartwarming production of Much Ado, which feels like it has reached the emotional core of Shakespeare's play.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Nicholas Hytner

Starring: Simon Rusell-Beale and Zoe Wannamaker
With: Mark Addy, James Alper, Katharine Burford, John Burgess, Daniel Fearn, Susannah Fielding, Oliver Ford Davies, Thomas Goodridge, Jessica Gunning, Daniel Hawksford, Simon Markey, Maggie McCarthy, Trevor Peacock, Gary Pillai, Daniel Poyser, Harriette Quarrie, Hannah Stokely, Julian Wadham, Ross Waiton, Niky Wardley, Andrew Woodall, Matthew Woodyatt, Tristram Wymark
Set Designer: Vicki Mortimer
Costume Designer: Dinah Collin
Lighting Designer: Mark Henderson
Music: Rachel Portman
Choreographer: Struan Leslie
Sound Designer: John Leonard
Running time: Three hours minutes with one interval
Box Office: 020 7452 3000
Booking to 29th March 2008
Reviewed by Charlotte Loveridge based on 19th December performance at the Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX (Tube: Waterloo)

London Theatre Tickets
Lion King Tickets
Billy Elliot Tickets
Mary Poppins Tickets
Mamma Mia Tickets
We Will Rock You Tickets
Theatre Tickets
Google
 
Web    
www.curtainup.com
London Theatre Walks


Peter Ackroyd's  History of London: The Biography



London Sketchbook



tales from shakespeare
Retold by Tina Packer of Shakespeare & Co.
Click image to buy.
Our Review


©Copyright 2007,

GUCCI

|

Aluminium Chronograph

|

PEAK new fashion ladies venting air spring heighten casual sport shoes P8004E

|

Tiffany & Co Hook and Eye Ring

|

mbt shoes

|

MBT Shoes

|

Tiffany&Co Daisy 925 sterling silver rings

|

Rolex

|

Louis Vuitton

|

Affliction Boots

|

Nike Shoes

|

Nike Dunk

|

MP5 Wholesale

|

Atlanta Falcons

|

Abercrombie Pants Wholesale 002

|

Louis Vuitton

|

UGG Boots Mulberry Genuine Australia classic Tall Ugg Boots

|

GUCCI Handbags

|

UGG Boots Classic Argyle Knit Chocolate 5879

|

Louis Vuitton Business Card Holder Ebony

|

MBT Men's Kisumu Tan Sandals

|

MBT Chapa

|

ugg boots

|

MBT Kisumu 2 White Men's Sandals

|

Nike Shoes

|

Louis Vuitton Monogram Denim Messenger Bag PM m95865

|

Bailey Button Uggs

|

Sexy Costume QS0169

|

Phone Wholesale

|

Bikinis Sets

|

Wholesale

|

Car DVD Player

|

LV

|

Tourbillon

|

Tiffany tiffany replica ring

|

Superleggera J12 White

|

Tiffany

|

rolex

|

Mouse Wholesale

|

Nike Air Max 2003

|

Monogram Groom

|

GUCCI

|

Wholesale

|

Nike Air Max LTD (dark blue/white) No.372340

Elyse Sommer.
Information from this site may not be reproduced in print or online without specific permission from esommer@curtainup.com