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

Sam Alexander (Don John), Peter Basham (Butler), William Belchambers (Conrade), Edward Bennett (Benedick), Nick Haverson (Dogberry), John Hodgkinson (Don Pedro), David Horovitch (Leonato), Tunji Kasim (Claudio), Sophie Khan Levy (Housemaid), Oliver Lynes (Soldier), Emma Manton (Margaret), Chris McCalphy (Sexton, Frances McNamee (Ursula), Peter McGovern (George Seacoal), Chris Nayak (Borachio), Jamie Newall (Friar Francis), Roderick Smith (Verges), Flora Spencer-Longhurst (Hero), Michelle Terry (Beatrice), Harry Waller (Balthasar), Thomas Wheatley (Antonio)

Creatives/Company

Author: Shakespeare
Producer: Royal Shakespeare Company
Director: Christopher Luscombe
Design: Simon Higlett
Lighting: Oliver Fenwick
Music: Nigel Hess
Sound: Jermey Dunn