An invitation to drive out to St Albans to see a musical version of Shakespeare's Much Ado about nothing set in the 1950's and staged in the Roman Theatre of Verulamium is too tempting to resist and the effort was certainly rewarded.For the production company OVO this is the 17th Shakespeare play staged in the innovative, imaginative and inspiring way they approach the challenge . Directors Adam Nichols and Janet Podd have a very strong creative flair that does not simply transport the words into modern dress but breathes fresh ideas into the story telling that makes it accessible to a first time audience and fresh and interesting for those who know the play well. On this occasion their vision is a sort of Happy Days meets South Pacific!
Don John becomes Joanna, whose jealousy is fuelled by being rejected by the new singing sensation the Sonnettes. Leonato, becomes Leonata the owner of a fast food cafe and mother of Beatrice, the lead singer in the Sonnettes. But they don't stop there Antonio becomes a waitress Antonia and Verges becomes Vergine, the wife of Dogberry and the chorus becomes singers in the Sonnettes, waitresses in the cafe and sailors from the USS Gull hitting town for some rest and relaxation. Then they scatter the script with fifties references such flying a U2 out of Russia, Cuban cigars, Superman and Jackie Kennedy and host of hit songs from the era. It is bold and imaginative and works especially in the wonderful first half which sets up the story. In the second Act, the tone changes reflecting the different style in the original but it feels like more of the original play and language is retained and as a result is less effective.
