There are two things we can always count on. Firstly, Shakespeare will never go out of style. Secondly, the battle of the sexes will always rear its stubborn head. 

Yep, despite centuries of social progression (and regression) and major leaps forward for the rights of women, queers, and marginalised folks which have bestowed us with the potential to boundlessly dream and design beautiful lives for ourselves that are free from the patriarchy’s shackles, attitudes about the state of (straight) romance have reached pessimistic new lows. Women are justifiably done, and frustrated men are being led down alt-right rabbit holes by dodgy pied pipers. 

Where will we ever find hope for heterosexual love? Well, dear reader, we can look to the Bard. 

Alison Bell and Fayssal Bazzi in MTC’s Much Ado About Nothing. Photo © Gregory Lorenzutti

Melbourne Theatre Company is playing Cupid by closing out their 2025 season with a fun and fresh take on Shakespeare’s original romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing – and it’s just the feel-good boost we need to send off what...