Reviewer: Elise Gallagher
Upstaged Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of Shakespeare’s most performed comedies Much Ado About Nothing centres on two very different romantic pairings but rather than told by the bard, The GOAT Manchester have decided to let the city’s watchmen take it upon themselves to tell their tale.
Led by Dogberry (Sean Henry) and followed obediently by Oatcake (Kyle Fisher) and Seacoal (Abey Bradbury) the performance takes on the vein of a village amateur dramatics society where the fashionably late Friar Francis (Gemma Whiteley) takes charge of the session with an unimpressed Verges (Harry Mace) joining them.
The company occupies and makes use of all space around them. There are no structural props in the performance space, just a fancy dress rail and costume box. The giddy characters whip around the venue in between audience rows, and even scare a spectating dog.
The giddy characters whip around the venue in between audience rows, and even scare a spectating dog.
The performance is completely over the top, but brilliantly so. A performance highlight was the ghoulish surprise of Don John complete with a plague mask, black cape and clawed plastic hands. His pantomime villain-esque presence and voice – the work of two of the cast – make his limited on-stage presence larger than life.
The skillful ensemble of 5 actors expertly juggle multiple amounts of physical comedy alongside Shakespearean prose. After a slow start, the performance really gathers pace and sets its own rhythm, complete with acoustic guitar performances and trumpet playing. Bradbury, Henry and Mace demonstrate a masterclass in doubling whilst Fisher punctuates his performances with cartoon-like slapstick.
A deliciously funny retelling of a Shakespeare classic.
This performance is a pay-what-you-can production and is a part of GOAT Mcr’s Summer Shakespeare Festival, which will be taking place at the Great Northern Warehouse’s Amphitheatre. Unless you are like me where our performance was interrupted by torrential rain. GOAT Mcr quickly got everyone inside into a dry indoor space and kicked off the show – the cast took off again seemingly unbothered by the false start.
Although Manchester may have not have blessed the company with good weather, come rain or shine this production delivers a deliciously funny retelling of a Shakespeare classic – just don’t forget your raincoat!
-Elise Gallagher
Much Ado About Nothing runs at GOAT Mcr (Great Open Air Theatre, Manchester) situated in the amphitheatre at the Great Northern Warehouse, 235 Deansgate until 15 August 2021. Tickets are sold on a Pay-What-You-Can basis.