MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING – Shakespeare’s title is as witty and profound as the play it describes. Who is not at their most foolish when in love and at the same time suffers most pain? This sparkling comedy seems light as a feather until it plunges to earth and reveals the darker side of passion – treachery, jealousy and death itself overwhelm frivolity and tragedy threatens. Then Shakespeare changes gear and brings in the clowns – a magnificent gang of incompetent policemen save the day – and, with the aid of deception – love triumphs. This is probably Shakespeare’s finest comic plot and introduces two of his finest lovers: Benedict and Beatrice – each masters of wit who discover the limits of that wit. Here is Shakespeare’s genius – the play itself explores the boundaries of comedy while its two chief characters discover a depth of feeling beyond the dry humour with which they protect their hearts. Cupid triumphs with an arrow not a smile. Around the two famous lovers gather a lively crew of doting fathers, evil brothers, match-making noblemen, passionate girls and lascivious youths – not to mention bumbling policemen worthy of the Keystone cops and an evil villain who lies in order to destroy. A whirlwind of love turns into a whirlpool of violence and death. But all is redeemed and love triumphs. Was the story truly on of much ado about very little or is it revealed as a profound mirror of the most intense human experience: the giving of one to another?

The production is brought to you by TNT theatre Britain and ADG Europe who have been described by as “the best touring theatre company in the world” (China National TV). Their cycle of Shakespeare’s major plays, directed by Paul Stebbings, have been seen in over thirty countries on five continents. Recent productions include OTHELLO, MACBETH, HAMLET and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT´s DREAM. The plays always include live music, the score for MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is adapted by Paul Flush and will mix Mozart with a dash of jazz. The style of production will be fast furious and funny, with a careful attention to poetry. The company aim to reveal Shakespeare not impose some artificial director’s interpretation – to elucidate this great play not drop it in some pointless setting or update what needs no modernising. This is the real thing – not a museum piece but a vibrant classic that stands the test of time.