An all-female production of one of Shakespeare's more subtly masculine plays has a real job persuading an audience of its merits.
Even with its silly wigs and pantomime moustaches, Tamara Harvey's broad brushstroke direction only makes a mockery of this context.
Worse, it struggles to qualify precisely what an all-female cast brings to Shakespeare's tale of sexual tension and the triumph of moral virtue.
As the idealistic prince Claudio, Ann Ogbomo is the only performer who makes the audience believe she is a man.
She brings a depth of passion and anger that is only matched by Penelope Beaumont's Leonato, with an effective mix of materialism and paternalism.
But, by effectively robbing the story of its men, Harvey gives us only half the play.
In rep until Sep 25, Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk SE1, 7.30pm (Sun 6.30pm), mats 2pm (Sun 1pm), £5 to £29 (tonight limited availability). Tel: 020 7401 9919. Tube: Southwark/London Bridge
