Do they work for a bank with a strict dress code? As Don Pedro and his colleagues drove into Kidlington Rectory garden and piled out of a Land Rover, they were all in identical suits. Certainly there wasn't any sign from their appearance that they were officers returning from a successful military campaign, as is traditionally the case in Much Ado. So there is no obvious explanation of how Don Pedro (John O'Connor) came to fall out with his illegitimate half-brother Don John (David Guthrie, his face alive with a splendidly malicious leer). Nonetheless, no sooner has Leonato, the Governor of Messina (Joe Kenneway, suitably pompous) welcomed the new arrivals than machinations over Claudio's love for Hero, and Benedick's love/hate relationship with Beatrice, get under way.

In this Cakes and Ale production, Tom Bateman delivers a well judged performance as a fresh and eager Claudio, wet behind the ears, but also edgily aware that he risks getting out of his depth. Benedick (Tim Younger), on the other hand, is a laddish individual, much given to extolling, in exaggerated tones, the virtues of falling in "leurve". Of course, brittle, cool, at times even sneering Beatrice (Kelly O'Connor) is not fooled by Benedick's disguise. The antagonistic body language is strongly observed as they bicker and snipe. Hero (Felicity McCormack) contrasts effectively as a much warmer personality.

Down the cast, there are some further sparkling performances, with Helen Taylor and Rachel Johnson working up a good double-act as Hero's gossiping gentlewomen. But the star cameo turn comes from Polly Mountain as Verges, who is here transformed into Dogberry's voluble Welsh auntie. For ever getting out her bright green knitting, or hanging on her nephew's sleeve, she makes a necessary foil to Bill Moulford's rather colourless Dogberry.

As always with Cakes and Ale, the text is intelligently and clearly delivered. Joint directors Kelly and John O'Connor manage the darker centre of the play well, but Much Ado is, of course, primarily a comedy. There is plenty of conspiratorial comic business in this production, but I was still left with a nagging feeling that Shakespeare's wonderful repartee could have been powered up to greater effect - especially with a skilled cast that has worked together so often before.

There are further performances of Much Ado About Nothing tonight (August 17) at The Old Church House, Wantage, and tomorrow at The Playing Field, Noke.