10 / 10
But it is Atwell who is the standout, striding the stage in a bronze Lurex jumpsuit like a Studio 54 diva. Her delivery of Beatrice's lines drips with contempt, pride and wit and she looks physically wounded at her own duping and the harm done to her cousin. It is the best version of the character I have seen on stage.
8 / 10
Lloyd's production bravely ditches the play's comic subplot and sidelines the younger nominal romantic leads Hero (Mara Huf) and Claudio (James Phoon) even more than is traditional, in favour of the more fun (and, here, far more famous) Beatrice and Benedick, who have a huge amount of fun with their banter-filled romance. Bendick declares himself "certain I am loved of all ladies", with Hiddleston teasingly holding an ear out to the audience so they can supply the whoops of approval Beatrice won't give him. He throws everything at the part, breakdancing, unbuttoning his shirt, and even delivering an appalling rendition of a Backstreet Boys song. It's an an oddly poignant expression of the desperation of unrequited love, touches of sadness under the self-depreciation.
Watch the video trailer for a new staging of Shakespeare’s original rom-com, Much Ado About Nothing, set in the glossy world of professional football in a new production featuring Freema Agyeman as Beatrice and Nick Blood as Benedick.
Recently, we had the chance to speak with Park about their experiences over the past few months in the two plays. We discussed what it has been like working in London for the first time, working on two shows at once and even why they think Shakespeare is still popular, centuries after his death.
Experience the Magic of William Shakespeare's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Featuring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell. Presented by The Jamie Lloyd Company at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Running Until 5 April 2025. View Exclusive Photos Now!
Tom Hiddleston is Benedick and Hayley Atwell is Beatrice. Two of their generation’s finest actors collaborate with director Jamie Lloyd again in this savagely funny and beautifully tender battle of wits. Much Ado About Nothing is now open at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. What did the critics think?
After a rather muted reception of The Tempest, fans of director Jamie Lloyd’s work can breathe a sigh of relief. It seems that he has discovered both fun and colour in this brilliant and bold version of Much Ado About Nothing starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell.
| 1787 | Broadway |
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| 1869 | Broadway |
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| 1900 | Broadway |
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| 1904 | Broadway |
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| 1904 | Broadway |
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| 1907 | Broadway |
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| 1912 | Broadway |
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| 1912 | Broadway |
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| 1913 | Broadway |
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| 1913 | Broadway |
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| 1927 | Broadway |
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| 1952 | Broadway |
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| 1959 | Broadway |
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| 1972 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
| 1972 | Broadway |
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| 1984 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
| 1987 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
| 1988 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
| 2001 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
| 2004 | Off-Broadway |
Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park Off-Broadway |
| 2011 | West End |
Shakespeare's Globe Production West End |
| 2012 | West End |
West End |
| 2013 | Off-Broadway |
Theatre for a New Audience Production Off-Broadway |
| 2014 | Off-Broadway |
Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park Off-Broadway |
| 2016 | West End |
Royal Shakespeare Company West End Revival Production West End |
| 2018 | West End |
Rose Theatre Kingston Ten-Year Anniversary Production West End |
| 2019 | Off-Broadway |
Shakespeare In the Park Off-Broadway |
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| 2026 | West End |
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| 2026 | Broadway |
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