MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING?

Much Do About Nothing - Split Second Productions

...nah.
In this instance, NOTHING could be further from the truth.
But first let me nail my colours to the mast.
I don’t now and never have really understood the appeal of Shakespeare. And no that’s not some boast. Quite the opposite in fact. But when I see it performed with irrepressible enthusiasm and boundless buoyancy, such as I just have, I can’t help but get carried along by it all.
And who wouldn’t? ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ set during World War II, with all the dashing, romantic style of that era? Inspired.
One of the Bard’s greatest and most charming comedies (I’m told) I found myself laughing out loud after just 3 minutes and 37 seconds. But did I understand precisely why? Yes and no.
Not exactly the specifics maybe, but the gist, yes, and that revelation is solely thanks to the sheer, joyous bravura of the actors who engaged everyone from the word go.
Split Second Productions have appeared at the festival for the last six years and frankly, here’s to their next half dozen because, staged in the Palace’s Orangery, this wasn’t just a performance (at least not for me) but an emancipating event.