Details

Autumn 1918. A group of soldiers return from the trenches. The world-weary Benedick and his friend Claudio find themselves reacquainted with Beatrice and Hero. As memories of conflict give way to a life of parties and masked balls, Claudio and Hero fall madly, deeply in love, while Benedick and Beatrice reignite their own altogether more combative courtship. Shakespeare's comic romance plays out amidst the brittle high spirits of a post-war house party, as youthful passions run riot, lovers are deceived and happiness is threatened - before peace ultimately wins out.

Cast/Performers

Edward Bennett (Benedick), Sam Alexander (Don John), John Arthur (Antonio), William Belchambers (Canrade), Paige Carter (Ursula), Rebecca Collingwood (Hero), Lisa Dillon (Beatrice), Nick Harris (Francis Pickbone / Butler / Officer / Musician), Nick Haverson (Dogberry), John Hodgkinson (Don Pedro), Tunji Kasim (Claudio), Emma Manton (Margaret), Chris McCalphy (Sexton), Peter McGovern (George Seacole), Chris Nayak (Borachio), Jamie Newall (Friar Francis), Steven Pacey (Leonato), Roderick Smith (Verges), Jamie Tyler (High Oatcake), Harry Waller (Balthasar), Anna Wheatley (Housemaid)

Creatives/Company

Author: Shakespeare
Producer(s): Chichester Festival Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company
Director(s): Christopher Luscombe, Gabrielle Dawes (casting director), Helena Palmer (casting director)
Design: Simon Higlett
Lighting: Oliver Fenwick
Music: Nigel Hess
Sound: Jeremy Dunn
Choreographer: Jenny Arnold