Funk It Up About Nothin'

George Square 4    7-10, 12-18, 20-24 @ 17.15    Chicago Shakespeare Theater

From the team behind The Bomb-itty of Errors comes a brand new Shakespearean romp in the form of Funk it Up About Nothing, a rap-tastic version of Much Ado About Nothing’. The cast of six speed through the plot with breathtaking energy and numerous costume changes! The hip-hop beat hits you as soon as you enter the theatre, and continues throughout the show as a backdrop for clever word-play, with the rapping working especially well for the Benedick/Beatrice love story, a relationship traditionally based on witty exchanges.

At times the show meanders into the ridiculous, with camp policemen, an overbearing sheriff, and a love scene between a man and a ‘life size doll’. But if you like silly humour you’ll find it funny rather than over-the-top. Having said that, the actors’ main characters are by far their best, and the strength of this show lies in the clear way in which they present the Claudio/Hero, Benedick/Beatrice stories.

A fast-paced 75 minutes, a brilliant and clever use of language, a surprisingly good “ad-rap-tation” of a classic play and a thoroughly entertaining show.