The grounds of the University of Oxford’s Worcester College have become the Sicilian city of Messina for Moving Parts Theatre Company’s production of Much Ado About Nothing. In the middle of the college gardens, there are two tents, made to look like towers. In front of them, there is a performance space, marked out by a circle of lemons, behind which the audience sit.

The production starts with a song, as well as a little audience participation. Katrina Michaels, who plays the part of Margaret, is about to propose and needs some help. After preparing the crowd with a line to sing (‘Marry Me’) and handing out some props (a hat, a scarf and a coat) for audience members to bring on at appropriate moments, she begins a duet with Will Benyon, who plays the part of Borachio.

With original compositions by Tamara Douglas-Morris, this production is full of music. Benyon, who also plays the guitar throughout the play, can be heard singing beautifully together with Michaels in many scenes. Michaels plays a mandolin and a wooden accordion. In this version of the Shakespeare comedy, the characters of Margaret and Borachio are also heavily involved in setting up the romantic pairings which the play largely revolves around.

Firstly, there is the matchmaking of Claudio (Lewis Jenkins) and Hero (Thissy Dias), which is almost scuppered because of the devious actions of the villainous Don John (Andy Canadine). The emotional wrench this causes Hero’s father, Leonato, is visibly seen, with an excellent, nuanced performance given by actor Keith Hill. Then, there is the inevitable union of Beatrice (Joanne Nevin) and Benedict (Martin South). Both actors here do an excellent job with their characterisations, and the pair's delivery during their scenes of verbal sparring is top notch.

Moving Parts have made the decision to place their version of the ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ in the 1960s. The colourful costumes, designed by Kathleen Morrison, reflect this sixties style. And when Don Pedro (Ryan Williams) and the other men folk arrive, dressed in black, they look like a sinister, group of mafioso.

The gardens of Worcester College provide a beautiful back drop for this production. It's a sunny June evening and the location serves the play perfectly. Director Simona Hughes uses the space well, as do the actors who are performing in-the-round, often being very close to the audience. There is plenty of visual humour to enjoy along with the wit of the text. Particularly funny is a scene where Beatrice attempts to hide herself under a rug behind a chair, while Margaret and Hero, both knowing that she is there, have a loud conversation, which they fully intend to be overheard. The pair are orchestrating an act of love. In a production where music plays an integral part, its no surprise that the production closes with an all-singing, all-dancing Italian pop number, led by Beatrice. A perfect way to end.