Shakespeare Live’s 21st – and last – open air production in the magnificent grounds at Hazelbury Manor near Box is a merry romp.

The antics, which revolve around two sets of lovers, had the audience in stitches at times, and often adding their own “oohs” and “aahs” as they followed the ups and downs of the relationships.

As the title Much Ado About Nothing implies, the comedy is a light-hearted look at life and love, well sprinkled with confusion, deceit and intrigue.

This is a production in period costume but many of the characters are up to date portrayals of youth today.

Benedick (Steve Huggins) and Beatrice (Sallie Furness) raised many a laugh as they declared their scorn for each other, love and marriage, the humour arising as much from their expressions as their words.

Beatrice portrays the part of sulky teenager, feminist and furious friend with aplomb. Likewise it was easy to see a modern, ‘cool’ teenager in Benedick, rather than the Elizabethan soldier.

Much of the comedy arises from the comically inept local watch and, among the minor parts, singer Balthasar (Liv Hussey) had the audience in stitches with her caterwauling.

Director David Sherratt made the most of the beautiful setting of Hazelbury Manor, with its banks and hedges. This was a production played for laughs and was a huge success.

I feel it could have been a little shorter, but it is first rate entertainment.

Next year’s production of Hamlet will be from July 4–9 at its new venue, Lackham Country Park.