Actor Robert Pickavance tells Katherine MacAlister why Much Ado has its darker side

It's always been about Oxford for Robert Pickavance, because this is where it all started, where the scales fell from his eyes, where he decided to be an actor not an academic, and now where he returns triumphantly with The Globe Theatre to perform Much Ado About Nothing in the historic setting of the Bodleian’s Quadrangle.

So it’s easy to understand why Robert’s so excited about coming back to take part in the most prestigious, open air Shakespeare of the season.

“I’m sure Oxford will appear very different to a man in his mid 60s compared to when he was in his mid 20s,” Robert chuckled.

“So I’m very excited because the Bodleian is one of my favourite locations in the world, and I spent so many years squirrelled away inside researching for my DPhil (Oxford’s equivalent of a PhD).

“I just felt so privileged to be in such a beautiful place while I tried to work out who I was and what to do with my life.”

Robert plays Leonato in The Globe’s production of Much Ado, opening to full houses everywhere. But despite playing in some of the most amazing open air theatres in the world, it’s Oxford he’s been waiting for. “I’m nervous and excited about the upcoming tour because every performance is different,” he explains, “but we had a wonderful time last year and playing Leonato in Much Ado is certainly one of my favourite parts and jobs. There is something about the honesty of performing outdoors in the sunshine, because there is nowhere to hide when you are out on stage.”

Performed with a tight-knit cast of eight, the entire Globe entourage doubles up to cope with all the parts, and all play musical instruments, rendering it much more like Shakespeare’s original productions.

“Well anything can happen. We are a team telling a story and while Much Ado may seem like a frothy summer comedy, it’s much meatier than that and gets quite dark, edging towards tragedy, and the audience gets really into that before its resolved,” he says.

As for Robert, when did the penny finally drop then? “I was in my fourth year, and ran The Unicorn Theatre at Abingdon Abbey in exchange for free accommodation.

“It was a world which made real sense to me,” he remembers. “So I decided to retrain and that’s how I came to be an actor aged 26.

“In fact, I haven’t looked back since. So it will be interesting to come back to Oxford. I can’t wait.”

The Globe Theatre on Tour comes to Old Schools Quadrangle, from Tuesday, July 21, to Sunday, August 2. Call 01865 305305 or see oxfordplayhouse.com