Kay Brattan directs Far Between Theatre’s LGBTQ+-friendly adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing in the shadow of Battersea Power Station.Â
Messina, a 1920s New York bar, is the setting. Don Pedro, Claudio and Benedick return from WWI and become embroiled in farcical endeavours with the patrons of the establishment. Claudio falls for Hero, Beatrice and Benedick flirt outrageously and Don John plots dastardly schemes in the wings. Although elements of tragedy appear, and the actors have a chance to show off their crying-on-cue abilities, ultimately Much Ado About Nothing remains a comedy and is full of laughter and general merriment throughout.
Like Lloyd’s 2025 adaptation, Brattan has leaned into the queer elements of the 16th-century rom-com classic, and this production is made in partnership with the London LGBTQ+ Centre.
Maira Vandiver shines as Beatrice, and generally carries the play. Ian Chapman Black delivers a strong Don Pedro, and Jaelon Love is likewise good as Hero. Joining them in the cast are Oihane Rodriguez as Leonata, who was also very good, Finn Harkin as Claudio, Medi Persis as Don John, and Brendan Peloubet as Benedick.
The costumes and set are simple but work well, helping to transport the audience into 1920s New York and 16th-century England. Arches Lane Theatre was the perfect location for the New York speakeasy setting. The audience engagement worked well generally; none of the actors were too forceful, and Maira Vandiver especially had good comic timing.
There was a lot of loud slapstick humour, which did not always work. Although the cast did their best to push through a few laughs, the phrase ‘as funny as a Shakespeare comedy’ unfortunately still holds water. Nobody visibly messed up their lines, which is no small feat in a 2 hours 40 minutes long, 500-year-old play. Equally impressive was the entire cast’s ability to sing and play a myriad of musical instruments. Most of the cast are alumni from East 15 Acting School, which is perhaps why the overall feeling while watching the production was that of a school play. Still, a light-hearted, funny-at-times production of a classic Shakespeare comedy.
Much Ado About Nothing runs for five days, with the final showing on 4 April.
