Much Ado About Nothing

National Theatre•www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

In Much Ado About Nothing Benedick and Beatrice are engaged in a very "merry war"; they are both proclaim their scorn for love, marriage, and each other. In contrast, Claudio and Hero are idealistic young people fall who fall in love at first sight. By means of "noting" (which sounds the same as "nothing," and which is gossip, rumour, and overhearing) these characters go through a series of misunderstandings, mishaps and heartbreak. This collection is from the NT Archive, filmed as part of the 2007 production at the National Theatre directed by Nicholas Hytner. Included in this collection are interviews with Nicholas Hytner, Simon Russell Beale and Zoë Wanamaker, as well as a workpack featuring teacher's notes.

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Episodes

Much Ado About Nothing - Workpack

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

Feb 07, 2013•6 sec

Olivier Ford Davies analyses Leonato's speech

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

Feb 07, 2013•6 min

Simon Russell Beale talks us through 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.

Feb 07, 2013•7 min

Simon Russell Beale and Zoë Wanamaker on Benedick and Beatrice

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

Feb 07, 2013•4 min

Olivier Ford Davies on how Shakespeare's approach

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.

Feb 07, 2013•2 min

Nicholas Hytner on Claudio's visit to Hero's grave

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.

Feb 07, 2013•2 min

Nicholas Hytner on Dogberry and Verges' scenes

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.

Feb 07, 2013•2 min

Nicholas Hytner on Benedick's gulling scene

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.

Feb 07, 2013•2 min

Noting in Much Ado About Nothing

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.

Feb 07, 2013•3 min

Susannah Fielding on light and dark moments in the play

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

Feb 07, 2013•2 min

Andrew Woodall on Don John

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

Feb 07, 2013•2 min

Simon Russell Beale on Benedick's backstory

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.

Feb 07, 2013•2 min

Susannah Fielding on tragic elements in the play

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.

Feb 07, 2013•2 min

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