Much Ado About Nothing

This is a workpack for Nicholas Hytner's 2007 production of Much Ado About Nothing. Included in this pack are teaching notes and articles on various aspects of the play

Olivier Ford Davies (Leonato) offers an in-depth analysis of his character's speech during the wedding scene.

Simon Russell Beale talks through the wedding scene from Benedick's point of view. He explains how Claudio's denouncement of Hero is a turning point for Benedick, which prompts him to side with the women in the play for the first time. It's also the point in the play when Benedick confesses his love for Beatrice, and when Beatrice asks Benedick to kill Claudio.

Simon Russell Beale (Benedick) and Zoë Wanamaker (Beatrice) discuss the relationship between their characters and talk about the darker elements in their 'merry war'.

Olivier Ford Davies (Leonato) talks about the use of language and emphasises Shakespeare's interest in the affect action has on the characters in his plays.

Nicholas Hytner (Director) explains why it is important that Claudio visits Hero's grave prior to the final scene where she is actually revealed to be alive and well.

Nicholas Hytner (Director) talks about the difficulties in staging the scenes involving Dogberry, Verges and the Watch, and how he approached this in his 2007 production.

Nicholas Hytner (Director) recognises Benedick's gulling scene as one of the most genuinely funny comic scenes in Shakespeare and discusses how he staged the scene during rehearsals.

In Elizabethan English, 'nothing' was pronounced in the same way as 'noting' - meaning to gossip, watch, and overhear. Nicholas Hytner (Director) and Simon Russell Beale (Benedick) discuss how this was conveyed in the 2007 production.

Susannah Fielding (Hero) talks about the light and dark moments within the play.

Andrew Woodall (Don John) talks about the importance of his character is forwarding the action of the play.

Simon Russell Beale (Benedict) talks about the backstory to his portrayal in Nicholas Hytner's 2007 production, from his relationships with women and his profession as a soldier.

Susannah Fielding (Hero) points to darker elements in the play - in the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick as well as the very intense scene where Hero is denounced at the wedding.