Beatrice and Benedick both claim they are determined never to marry. But when their friends trick them into realizing that each harbours secret feelings for the other, the pair begin to question whether their witty banter and verbal sparring conceal something deeper. In contrast, Hero and Claudio claim undying love for one another and cannot wait to plunge into marriage. Suddenly schemes abound, dangerous misunderstandings proliferate and matches are eventually made (and unmade) in this dazzling comedy of love and second chances.
Don Pedro along with his brave and trusted lieutenants, Benedick and Claudio has returned from winning the war of succession against his bastard stepbrother, Don John. They arrive in Messina and are state guests of the gentle Leonato, father to Hero and uncle to Beatrice. While Leonato and his sister Antonia welcome them, Claudio is quick to fall for Hero but Benedick and Beatrice grow increasingly sharp in their sparring. Claudio desires to be quickly married to Hero, however Leonato begs for time to make adequate arrangements.
The war is won and it is time to make merry and as they wait for the wedding, Don Pedro finds entertaining schemes to keep them busy. However all schemes are brought to naught by the secret connivings of the defeated Don John, stepbrother of the Prince and his man Borachio. Tragedy is imminent before the situation is rescued by the help of the good Friar and the bumbling constables.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is a love story refreshingly mature in its approach and ahead of its times in its portrayal of women. Written in 1598, it is a play full of darkness and sunlight, as interested in what cannot be spoken as in the delights of speaking, about the mingling of laughter and sorrow peppered with witty repartee which makes for very entertaining viewing.
Believing in keeping Theatre to its basics where the Performance is the Production, Ank's Much Ado About Nothing keeps the vision of Shakespeare alive with minimal design, sound and light elements where the Performance is the thing.
A fine example of Shakespeare's vast oeuvre, “Much Ado is a step into a delightful world which has entertained millions over centuries and remains to this day the classic originator of the modern romantic comedy.
