REVIEW: Much Ado About Nothing, Theatre Royal, Workington

The most disappointing thing about the opening night of Much Ado About Nothing was the size of the audience.

This comedy presented by the Theatre Royal Shakespeare Players deserved a full house.

Much Ado About Nothing tells the story of Beatrice and Benedick, a couple who scorn love.

These characters bring alive the wit of William Shakespeare's scripts and nothing of that wit was lost with the performances of Kelly Davis and Geoffrey Hall.

In a cast of excellence they still stood out.

Actors in modern clothing often played multiple parts. In a twist from Shakespeare's time, however, this time it was women playing men.

This could have been chaos but it was not. It was pure comedy from start to finish - except for the odd foray in villainy and melodrama.

It is not fair not to mention all the cast because they all did so well, so go along and see for yourselves.

Much Ado About Nothing continues until Saturday at the Theatre Royal on Washington Street, starting at 7.30pm.

The play is also being taken on tour. It will be at the Ennerdale Centre, at Ennerdale Bridge, on July 1, Brigham Memorial Hall on Saturday July 2 and Ireby on July 16.