There are few things more quintessentially English than Shakespeare in a garden, and the Oxford Theatre Guild’s Much Ado About Nothing, in a leafy setting at Trinity College, is a treat. Being outdoors presents challenges for the performers, though, and on the opening night some struggled to make their voices heard. In fact, the show was a little slow to ignite, but once the actors got into their stride this was an enjoyable, light-hearted romp with plenty of fun and silliness.

Director Joseph Kenneway has set the action in 1930s Spain, just after the Spanish Civil War — an excuse for some smart, crisp uniforms for the men and simple but effective attire for the ladies. The set, too, is suitably minimalist — the frontage of a building, plus a water feature that at first just looks decorative but later plays its own part in the plot.

This play, of course, is best known for the witty sparring between Beatrice and Benedick, and Ida Persson and Kieran Donnelly (pictured) don’t disappoint for a second. Donnelly’s oafish but immensely likeable Benedick is one of the most memorable portrayals in this production. He is well-matched by Persson’s sparky, sarcastic Beatrice, and between them they wring every ounce of comedy from their encounters with obvious relish. But they manage some spellbinding moments, too, in the aftermath of Hero’s alleged faithlessness, as a distraught Beatrice begs Benedick to kill Claudio to avenge her young cousin’s honour.

Herb Cuanalo has a strong stage presence as the well-meaning Don Pedro, Zoe Wilgar is a sweetly demure Hero and Will Payne has fun as the drunken Dogberry. Marcus Davis-Orram, as Claudio, began a little tentatively on Tuesday night but increased in confidence as the evening progressed.

Until July 21. Box office: 01865 305305 or http://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/ticketsoxford.