This isn’t a sponsored post.
BrumHour saw Much Ado About Nothing at the invite of The RSC.
By David Fox x.com/DavidFoxTheatre
Much Ado About Nothing at The RSC Royal Shakspeare Theatre: Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Smart, stylish, and strikingly relevant
Directed by Michael Longhurst
William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing is an energetic, romantic, and hilarious comedy that weaves together wit, deception, and love. Set in Messina, the play follows two central couples: firstly, the spirited Beatrice and the sharp-tongued Benedick, whose constant bickering masks a deep affection, and secondly young lovers Hero and Claudio, whose romance is nearly destroyed by a cruel act of trickery. As plots of mistaken identity and eavesdropping unfold, the characters are forced to confront their assumptions, pride, and loyalties. Ultimately, truth triumphs, love prevails, and harmony is restored in this timeless story of miscommunication and reconciliation.
Fresh from his acclaimed tenure as Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, Michael Longhurst takes the helm of a bold new production of Shakespeare’s ultimate rom-com — but with a fresh twist. The lads of Messina FC return triumphant from winning the European Cup and dive headfirst into a world of football fame, celebrity culture, and WAGs. This is Shakespeare reimagined for the Instagram age, with a distinctly modern RSC flair. The production bursts with contemporary references — vaping, texting, twerking — and a soundtrack that ranges from the Spice Girls to Sophie Ellis-Bextor, topped off with a hilariously on-point use of I Can Be Your Hero.
This new RSC production features Freema Agyeman (RSC Twelfth Night, Doctor Who) and Nick Blood (Day of the Jackal, Slow Horses, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D) as the fiery, quick-witted duo Beatrice and Benedick. Agyeman is sheer class exuding elegance and sharp intelligence, while Blood delivers laugh-out-loud moments with impeccable comic timing—their chemistry crackles with every verbal jab and witty exchange. Highlights include the hilarious scenes where each hides to secretly listen in on declarations of love, showcasing both actors’ flair for physical comedy and perfectly timed reactions.
The rest of the ensemble cast delivered strong, spirited performances and clearly relished every moment on stage. Standout praise goes to Daniel Adeosun and Eleanor Worthington-Cox, who brought depth and charm to Claudio and Hero. Meanwhile, Nick Cavalier and Antonio Magro were a comedic delight as the bumbling watchmen-turned-security guards, Verges and Dogberry, earning plenty of well-deserved laughs.
The staging and design of this production are nothing short of brilliant. The set seamlessly transformed from football stadium to locker room to sun-soaked Italian villa, thanks to inventive use of projections and a versatile backdrop. Interviews, ‘live’ footage captured by the cast, text messages, and social media posts were cleverly integrated, adding a modern, multimedia layer. Particularly striking were the glimpses into the darker side of the internet—online trolling and public shaming—making the play feel timely, resonant, and uncomfortably real.
If Shakespeare were a football manager, Much Ado About Nothing would be his tactical masterclass—and the Royal Shakespeare Company has certainly scored with this one. From the opening whistle, this production plays with flair, delivering quick-witted dialogue like precision passes and building tension like a nail-biting extra time. The sparring between Benedick and Beatrice is pure box-to-box brilliance, while the ensemble keeps the energy at Premier League levels throughout. Whether you’re a diehard Bard fan or just here for the spectacle, this staging proves that comedy, like football, is a beautiful game when played right. Excuse the puns!
I had an incredible evening watching this show—full of laughter from start to finish! Smart, stylish, and strikingly relevant, this modern take on Much Ado About Nothing is an absolute must-see.
Much Ado About Nothing is at The RSC’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre, for a limited run until 24th May 2025. Book tickets at rsc.org.uk/much-ado-about-nothing.
