Much Ado About Nothing, Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester. Until October 15. 01206 573948.

THERE'S a Latin maxim above the stage throughout the Mercury's new stage version of Much Ado About Nothing.

Well the start of one really: Perfer et obdura, which in its entirety roughly translates as 'be patient and tough; someday this pain will be useful to you'.

In Shakespeare's play it's the pain of being in love but it's also very apt to Pia Furtado's 'Essex Garrison' version of the Bard's classic rom-com.

That's because, I suspect, this Much Ado will not be to everyone's taste.

Personally I think it's one of the most thought-provoking, colourful, and exciting shows I've seen on the Mercury stage for a long time.

While the first half weighs in at an impressive hour and a half, it fairly rattles along with various highlights including a raucous disco 'ball' scene and some very amusing uses of the incredible set while Beatrice and Benedick are tricked into falling in love with each other.

For me, that's the real attraction. The witty word play of our two would-be lovers brilliantly played out by Danielle Flett and Jason Langley who positively lit up the stage whenever they were trading their rhetorical blows.

Of course there's the main plot of Claudio and Hero, a love that is cut all too short through deception and lies, and while that offers Pia a chance to pull off a rather extravagant set change, turning the pristine Garrison Common Room into an imagined fallout scene from this love bombshell, I've always thought they kind of detract from Shakespeare's real comedy gems.

Not everything sits so well with Margaret being a little too 'Essex' for me and also having Don John played by a woman, an absolutely mesmerising performance by Polly Lister, but an uneasy portrayal, especially perhaps for current serving female soldiers.

But they are minor criticisms in a show that must be seen.

For some it will be tough but be patient, someday you'll know I was right!

NEIL D'ARCY-JONES