Much Ado About Nothing review – RSC boots the action to elite Italian football in a play of two halves

Royal Shakespeare theatre, Stratford-upon-AvonBenedick is a midfielder for Serie A team FC Messina in a show with top-form performances and a clever visual metaphor, albeit some pacing problems in the final thirdSuggesting that spectacular visual metaphor is the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new house style, a Hamlet set on a cruise liner is followed by a Much Ado About Nothing based in elite Italian football. After the National Theatre’s Gareth Southgate bio-drama Dear England, this must be the first season that both big subsidised companies have filled stages with young men in replica club shirts and jockstraps.Before this Much of the Day starts, a TV sports feed tells us that FC Messina have beaten Madrid FC 3-2 in a European final, with a hat-trick from young winger Claudio. But cocky journeyman midfielder Benedick – jibed as “Signor Own-Goal”, replacing Shakespeare’s sexualised insult “Mountanto” – refuses to be interviewed by TV sportscaster Beatrice, due to some past bad match. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Black Mirror season seven episode includes hidden QR code. Here’s where it leads

Comments

Similar News

Musical brings cult classic Restless Natives to the stage

How to Fight Loneliness at the Park Theatre review: this assisted dying play is repetitive and reductive

‘Touching the soul is all that matters!’ The outrageous genius of Barrie Kosky and his Wagner phantasmagoria

Andor season two review – the excellent Star Wars for grownups is as thrilling as ever (and funnier too)

Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham review – what a brilliantly daft road trip, bab!

Raphael’s School of Athens review – rewarding study of Renaissance fresco

A set of first editions of Shakespeare's plays could fetch $6 million at auction

Netflix fans addicted to Italian prison drama that’s ‘as good as The Godfather’

Wind, Tide & Oar review – a love letter to the good old fashioned art of sailing

‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’: An Origin Story for the Broadway Stage

Review: Little Adds Up in the Elusive ‘Grief Camp’

‘Andor’ Season 2 Premiere Recap: Rebel Rebel

‘Andor’ Season 2 Premiere Recap: Rebel Rebel

‘Andor’ Season 2 Premiere Recap: Rebel Rebel

Tendaberry review – dreamlike drama of a young woman alone in New York

Enough Is Enuf by Gabe Henry review – the battle to reform English spelling

Personal Values review – shocks as sisters reunite for the first time since their father’s funeral

Thunderbolts* with Marvel’s ‘darkest material yet’ debuts to giddy early reviews

Letter reveals Shakespeare did not abandon his wife

Culture

Black Mirror season seven episode includes hidden QR code. Here’s where it leads

Daryl Hannah claims Trump administration tried to ‘mess Neil Young up’ over American citizenship

Counter terror police assessing Kneecap concert video

What are your most memorable moments with your mom? NPR wants to hear

Black churches back embattled Smithsonian African American history museum after Trump's order

Book publishers see surging interest in the U.S. Constitution and print new editions

Worries about flying seem to be taking off. Here's how to cope with in-flight anxiety

Tariff turmoil: How Tesla and other companies are dealing with the uncertainty of the trade war

Boeing doesn't expect its recovery to be affected by trade war with China

A new Netflix film features a hurtling Japanese bullet train with a ticking bomb

Jen Psaki stepping up for MSNBC as Rachel Maddow returns to once-a-week schedule

Novavax says its COVID-19 shot is on track for full FDA approval after delay

'Suspect' on Disney+ digs for the truth around a fatal London police shooting

Ryan Fleur is promoted to president of the Philadelphia Orchestra

D.C. area's air pollution earns an F from American Lung Association

Child actor Sophie Nyweide’s mom speaks out as police investigate ‘possible unintentional overdose’

A24 casts Bafta-nominated actor as Anthony Bourdain in upcoming biopic

Bravo fans praise Brittany Cartwright for ‘finding her voice’ after explosive fight with Jax Taylor on The Valley

Celebrity Big Brother’s JoJo Siwa has realised ‘she’s not a lesbian’

Where are Race Across The World 2024 winners Alfie and Owen now?

'He had all the power': Harvey Weinstein retrial begins in New York

Review: From Kyle Abraham, Saxophones and Sculptural Shapes

Kneecap received death threats after Coachella gig, says manager

Thunderbolts* with Marvel’s ‘darkest material yet’ debuts to giddy early reviews

A set of first editions of Shakespeare's plays could fetch $6 million at auction

As solo travel increases, hotels step up

'Conclave,' movie about papal election, sees streaming numbers soar after Pope Francis' death

Nominees for Ivor Novello Awards revealed

Katy Perry’s reputation is in tatters – only this brave move will save her now

Lola Young leads nominations for top songwriting awards

Netflix's Wednesday gets launch date and new characters

AI eavesdrops on your sleep in this nightmarish 'Dream Hotel'

Ryan Coogler says 'Sinners' inspiration felt 'like a bolt of lightning'

Who is Laurence Fox? From actor and Lewis star to controversial Reclaim Party leader

Mountainhead: Steve Carell stars as billionaire in Succession creator Jesse Armstrong’s new film

Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, Lola Young and Raye among nominees for The Ivors

Nintendo warns of Switch 2 stock shortages as pre-orders expand

Race Across the World: Everything to know about return of ‘the best show on TV’

Robert Irwin revealed as first celebrity contestant on DWTS season 34

Frankie Muniz shares Malcolm in the Middle reunion photo with ‘mom and dad’ Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek

Lorde takes over New York park for new single launch hours after cops made fans disperse

Barry Didcock: Netflix and Amazon now making better Scottish drama than BBC or STV

'A young man in his underpants is not a good look in the Catholic Church'

Everything we know about Race Across The World 2025 including cast and route

Netflix fans addicted to Italian prison drama that’s ‘as good as The Godfather’

‘North of North’ Is a Warm Arctic Comedy

Review: Little Adds Up in the Elusive ‘Grief Camp’

What are YouTube's most watched music videos? (Is that really number one?)

Russell T Davies, Michaela Coel and more British writers express solidarity with trans community

Benson Boone hits out at critics for hating him for no ‘good reason’

The European Union fines Apple 500 million euros and Meta 200 million in separate digital cases

Golden Bachelor announces former NFL player as its season two star

Glastonbury 2025 resale live: Last chance for fans to get tickets for this year’s festival

American Music Awards: Kendrick Lamar leads the pack with 10 nominations

We cherish Scotland's right to roam and pity the English but our freedom is a myth

Letter reveals Shakespeare did not abandon his wife

Kneecap say statement at Coachella 'not aggressive' after criticism

Lorde Planned a Surprise Show in New York. Surprise: There Was No Show.