Much Ado About Nothing, The Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond

ON the 227th anniversary of the grand opening of the Richmond venue (September 2, 1788), London’s most prestigious touring company, Globe Touring, took to the tiny stage with a stunning performance of Shakespeare’s comedy.

The main story centres around the love affair of Hero and Claudio and the accusation of infidelity and eventual vindication of an innocent woman; impressively performed by Jessica Warbeck and Aaron Anthony. In Shakespeare’s usual maze of misperception, Beatrice and Benedick have the best comedy lines with their mutual antagonistic expressions of love. Christopher Harper’s excellent Benedick is cocky, flippant and unnervingly comic, especially when he’s waxed his moustache into little horns.

Beatrice is the amazing Emma Pallant (Hero’s cousin) and a whole dictionary of superlatives just won't do to tell you how good this young lady is, with her real tears, her perfect expressions and the most wonderful expressive acting. She’s darn good too when she doubles up as the old man Verges, sidekick to Dogberry given the comedian treatment by Alex Mugnaioni.

Joanne Howarth is the most brilliant un-maiden like Margaret – a quick witted performance with a convincing northern accent. Last, but not least, is Robert Pickavance with two well-performed characters, Hero’s emotional father Leonato and the almost pantomime dame creature Ursula.

Director, Max Webster with designer, James Cotterill and composer John Barber have seamlessly combined to make a most delicate, charming comedy with tragic overtones, music and dancing – seven people playing various instruments dancing on the tiny Georgian stage is some feat of choreography.

* Runs until Saturday. Box Office: 01748-825252 georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk

Helen Brown