Shakespeare rom-com hits Rugby stage
Play is ‘a perfect way to introduce someone to Shakespeare’, says director
A much-loved Shakespeare comedy about two ill-fated sets of lovers is on stage at Rugby Theatre this week.
Much Ado About Nothing features the duo Beatrice and Benedick, who claim they despise each other and will never marry. Joining them are the romantic young couple Claudia and Hero, who fall victim to a bitter prank that threatens to tear their happiness apart.
The show’s director Ash Hirons said: “Much Ado About Nothing is full of great characters, comic opportunity and the famous quarrelling lovers, Beatrice and Benedick.
“This play has it all: farce, comic characters, emotional highs and lows, bickering lovers, loyalty and disloyalty, plots and counter plots.”
The drama unfolds in the sun-soaked port of Messina on the island of Sicily, with Beatrice and Benedick’s quick-fire insults providing the comedy, and Claudia and Hero’s tortured tale of mistaken identity keeping audiences guessing until the end.
Ash is keen to stress the show is suitable for newcomers to Shakespeare as well as seasoned fans of the Bard.
He said: “Much Ado About Nothing is a perfect play to introduce someone to Shakespeare.
"We’ve focused on giving clarity to Shakespeare’s text, so that anyone can follow what is happening, and the acting and movement is styled to be easily understood for modern audiences.
“This is a joyful celebration of love in all its messy, hilarious and heart-warming forms, guaranteed to keep audiences laughing, guessing and rooting for love to win.”
Much Ado About Nothing runs until Saturday September 26. Call 01788 541234 or visit rugbytheatre.co.uk to book.