Shakespeare meets Allo Allo in Oxford Triptych Theatre’s production of Much Ado About Nothing. Sicily is replaced with post-war France, signified by a long rendition of 'La Marseillaise', some rather enjoyable accordion music, and a couple of huge tricolores festooning the stage (more of which later).
The action centres around a bistro run by Leonato, father of beautiful Hero. Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick, and evil Don John return from war, Claudio promptly falls in love with Hero, grumpy Don John does a bit of evil plotting, and high jinx ensue. But all this is background really for the two characters who steal the show. The actors playing Benedick and Beatrice are excellent as the verbal adversaries who are tricked into falling in love with each other. Or just tricked into admitting what was there all along. What may to a modern audience seem rather contrived becomes convincing, thanks to the obvious enjoyment that Benedick and Beatrice take from their war of wit, and the chemistry between the pair.
But back to the big flags: at first it is unclear what is gained by transplanting the story to France. It is all worth it however in the scene where Benedick hides while eavesdropping on Claudio and Don Pedro (who incidentally bears a remarkable resemblance to Charlton Heston), and becomes convinced that Beatrice loves him. The sight of Benedick’s moustache showing through the white stripe of the tricolore is truly a joy to behold.
Aside from the strong performances of Benedick and Beatrice it has to be said that some of the acting is hit and miss, and some of the humour does fall a little flat. All in all though this is a pretty good version, and also your last chance to go to the intimate OFS Studio before it is closed for refurbishment. So go along if you can, otherwise you will be an ass, and if you’re very unfortunate it will be written down. Now you want to go, don’t you, just to find out what on earth I’m talking about.
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