Choice: Theatre

Much Ado About Nothing, Sheffield Lyceum (0114-276 9922) 7.45pm

It's got everything: sex and (emotional) violence, deception and self- deception, love and hatred, finesse and tomfoolery, high comedy and the stab of tragedy. I've never understood why this comedy is not as well- loved as, say A Midsummer Night's Dream. Still, like buses, you wait for ages and then three come along at once. First off was the shameful, atmosphere- free RSC production which I caught up with it on its London revival. I'm sorry, but it's grim. I was utterly unmoved at what is probably my favourite play: an awful lot of "acting", precious little characterisation and even fewer laughs. (I've seen audiences convulsed at this play.) Later this year, Peter Hall will direct it as part of his West End repertory season but in between we have the genuine excitement of a new production by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod for Cheek by Jowl starring Saskia Reeves (above) and Matthew Macfayden. David Benedict