William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing Review by That Guy in The Foyer, John Doherty ★★★★ Presented by Funk Soul Productions The Goodwood Theatres March 17, 2024. 2 pm and 7 pm. “Much Ado About Nothing” is one of William Shakespeare’s most entertaining comedic rollicks through Love, and Funk Soul Productions’ staging does not disappoint! A clever gender flip to the original script finds Leonarta (Immi Beatie), a respectable noblewoman in Messina, preparing to welcome friends Don Pedro (Jack McDonald), Claudio (Oscar Baldwin), Benedick (Harry Gregg), and Don Pedro’s illegitimate brother, Don John (Kit Erhart -Bruce), home from a victorious war. Courtship between Leonarta’s maiden daughter, Hero (Juliet Tainton) and Claudio quickly escalates, while Benedick and Beatrice (Gracie Greenrod), Hero’s cousin, both possessed of quick wit and love of barbed banter, bait each other relentlessly. Leonarta and Don Pedro conceive a plot and aided by members of their respective entourages, dupe Beatrice and the proudly eternal bachelor Benedict, into each believing the other is in love with them. Meanwhile, Don John maliciously plots toward Claudio’s view of Hero changing, ultimately ending with the young soldier denouncing his love to be unchaste at the altar. Clearly, open, clearer communication may have avoided the conflicts which drive the play, but that’s the point! Shakespeare’s insight into love and matters of communication is acute- and funny! And Funk Soul Productions colourfully costumed adaptation, skilfully abridged by Gracie Greenrod, conveys the drama and humour of the situation effectively and in equal measure. The chemistry between Greenrod and Gregg, who also directed the work, is electric from go to whoa, each possessing superb comic timing and ability to convey text in a manner one would expect of those of twice their age and experience! Tainton is engaging and convincingly innocent as Hero, while Baldwin contrasts puppy dog eyed love with disparaging scorn in good balance. McDonald and Beatie are strong as the senior figures of each entourage and Erhart- Bruce is compelling as Don John. While the levels of experience across the supporting cast is varied, the ensemble must be credited with giving great support to the unfolding chaos of love misrepresented. Borachio as capably played by Aidan Nixon-Burns is an interesting character who, while reprehensible in his actions, somehow elicited compassion from at least one audience member! Nixon Burns otherwise strong performance was occasionally marred by that curse of young actors, the swallowing of words! Ollie Mattinson, youngest in the cast plays dual roles of Conrad and Friar, and proves he has the chops and, with more experience, a great future. Mercedes Nash as Margaret, the unwitting accomplice in Hero’s demise, was great, particularly in her unspoken reactions to the consequences of her actions; Nash has great stage presence and shows a lot of promise. Similarly, Ebony Smith as Antonia and Charlotte Burt as Ursula both capably demonstrate that, in good hands, a so called “small role” can fill a stage, while Seb Ireland and Grace Wakefield give good performances. Funk Soul Productions’ take on “Much Ado About Nothing” amply demonstrates what a group of young- the eldest is, I think, 19- emerging directors, producers and actors can achieve! As Harry Gregg’s first outing as a director, this show is a tour de force! Having attended the company’s first foray into the Fringe in ’23 with a hilarious ‘70s themed version of “A Midsummer Nights Dream”, it is heartening to see some great development across the Funk Soul members featured in this second outing. Is this version of “Much Ado About Nothing” perfect? Nope! But it’s bloody good! Funk Soul Productions is a name to watch, and this critic can’t wait to see what they do next! With only two performances on the last day of the Fringe I wish I could say “Go! See It!”