THEATRE
WILLIAM COOK
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Shakespeare’s Globe, London, until 24th August
Hip hip hooray! After seeing so many Shakespearean productions in modern costume – often daft or dreary – I found it a nice change to see one played as it should be played, in traditional Elizabethan dress. When it comes to staging Shakespeare, contemporary clothing tends to be the hallmark of a pretentious, experimental production. Period dress is a good indication that the show will remain faithful to the script. In this beautiful replica theatre, built on almost the same spot where Shakespeare’s dramas were first performed, doublet and hose should be obligatory. The Globe should be a refuge from tedious reinterpretations of his plays. If the actors are wearing Elizabethan garb, you can be fairly sure you’re in for an enjoyable evening. Sure enough, this conventional Much Ado About Nothing is consistently entertaining. If it weren’t for some eccentric casting, I might say it was one of the best...
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