by William Shakespeare
Hero and Claudio are in love, and hope to get married soon...but their enemies are trying to stop the marriage by spreading rumours that Hero has been unfaithful. Meanwhile their friends Beatrice and Benedick are also in love, but they have become so accustomed to arguing with each other that they appear to be enemies. Will Love find a way to bring these two couples together? Or is the whole business of Love simply 'much ado about nothing'?
Shakespeare's turbulent and entertaining comedy – specially abridged by White Horse Theatre – examines not only at the deep emotional commitments but also the superficial banter and misunderstandings that can lead couples from a first meeting to a lasting relationship.
Photos of 'Much Ado about Nothing'
Extract from the script 'Much Ado about Nothing'
| Claudio: | By my troth, a pleasant-spirited lady. |
| Hero: | Beatrice is never sad but when she sleeps, and not ever sad then; for she hath often dreamt of unhappiness and waked herself with laughing. |
| Claudio: | She cannot endure to hear tell of a husband. |
| Hero: | O, by no means: she mocks all her wooers out of suit. |
| Claudio: | She were an excellent wife for Benedick. |
| Hero: | O Lord, my lord, if they were but a week married, they would talk themselves mad. Claudio, when mean we go to church? |
| Claudio: | Not till Monday, my dear, which is hence a just seven-night. And les uns in the interim undertake one of Hercules' labours; which is, to bring Signor Benedick and the Lady Beatrice into a mountain of affection the one with the other. I would fain have it a match, and I doubt not but to fashion it, if you will but minister such assistance as I shall give you direction. |
| Hero: | I will do any modest office, my lord, to help my cousin to a good husband. |