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Much Ado About Pirates

 
Lisa Simonis Review by Lisa Simonis 3 Published: 5 Aug 2025 theSpace @ Niddry St Show Dates: 4 Aug 2025-9 Aug 2025

Welcome aboard this Shakespearean play/musical/physical comedy/theatre mashup. Performed by multiple National School Theatre Award winners, this inventive production comes with a pirate twist.

The piracy storyline leans into its own chaos, becoming a sort of good-natured piracy of Shakespeare’s work.

Opening with an energetic mise-en-scène and set in the Victorian era, Much Ado About Pirates follows Jonathan, a pirate going through a career change as he leaves the Pirate King in pursuit of becoming an actor. Just to his luck, he is cast as Benedick in the navy’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Soon, he’ll be launched into the spotlight through his talent and passion for the art form.

Hosted at theSpace at Niddry Street, the theatre-in-the-round approach – with audiences surrounding the stage – allows an immersive view of all 360 degrees. Performers move dynamically in and out of scenes, on and off the stage. The set-up is lively and creative, filled with fun props, wigs and a revolving door of costume changes.

In true Shakespearean fashion, Much Ado About Pirates holds all the trademarks of a great Shakespearean comedy: cross-dressing, plotting, quick wit – and even a play within a play. In many ways, this meta approach condenses the multi-hour classic into a smart, music-filled, hour-long show brimming with dance routines.

While the performance is in conversation with Shakespeare's play, it also makes fun of itself unapologetically. Ingeniously, the piracy storyline leans into its own chaos, becoming a sort of good-natured piracy of Shakespeare’s work – and it works brilliantly, with much self-awareness.

Much Ado About Pirates is as much about a clever interpretation of Shakespeare as it is about its young and charming performance. It’s worth highlighting the impressive and invigorating delivery of the young ensemble, who perform Shakespeare’s dialogue with great lusciousness and understanding of the plot. A truly delightful viewing of emerging talent that will undoubtedly continue to dazzle audiences in the years to come.

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The Blurb:

Gilbert and Sullivan meets Shakespeare in this song/dance/play mash-up, developed and performed by multiple National School Theatre Award winners. This time it is Jonathan who is leaving the Pirate King to become a Shakespearean actor. 'Parting is such sweet sorrow – here today, gone tomorrow'. What would Queen Victoria say? Our aim is that somebody's amused, even if it's not Her Majesty. Our previous productions include: Les Miserables, 'Tear-jerking... extraordinary teamwork' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com), Sweeney Todd 'Highly talented boys' **** (BroadwayBaby.com), Waiting for OFSTED 'Serious, witty' **** (ScotsGay.co.uk), 14-18 Cyrano 'Stylish, original' **** (BroadwayBaby.com).