Much Ado About Nothing: more London reviews

More reviews from the press night on Wednesday are appearing now online.

A 3 star review from The Times Benedict Nightingale, who thought both the lead actors were excellent but was a little scathing about the rest of the production. I cheered myself up by then reading The Telegraph review by Charles Spencer as well as Alistair Macaulay's.

"The irresistible Joseph Millson is the best Benedick I have ever seen: both hilarious and vulnerable". Alistair Macaulay FT Dec 06.

That was almost cheating since I dont think Charles Spencer has ever written a less than glowing review for any of Josephs stage performances. (and made me decide that I ought to start reading The Telegraph instead of The Times...). Michael Billington for The Guardian also enjoyed it just as much as he did in Stratford and gave it another 4 stars.

Edited this post to add that Paul Taylor from the The Independent also gave Much Ado 4 stars

"The handsome Millson is one of those rare actors who can combine the romantic and the ridiculous. It's beautifully clear from his expertly pointed and plosive delivery of the lines that this blustering bachelor is in denial about his own finer feelings. He gives an audience free access to his heart, even when he is clowning like mad, as he does in the eavesdropping scene, collapsing backwards in amazement with the tall plant he fondly imagines is providing him with cover.

And he has the knack of flashing acute sensitivity without letting up on the fun. There's real depth to the way this Benedick comes to understand that mocking wit can erect a defensive barrier against life: "a college of witcrackers cannot flout me out of my humour... since I do purpose to marry..."