Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare's greatest love stories and a comic tour de force. Exploring the eternal themes of love, jealousy, and honor, it focuses on two pairs of very different lovers and their trials and tribulations en route to the altar. Claudio and Hero are in love and soon to be married. As they await the wedding, they decide to play a trick on their friends Beatrice and Benedick, two confirmed singletons who scorn marriage and enjoy nothing more than expressing their mutual disdain. Can they persuade Benedick that Beatrice is in love with him—and vice versa? Meanwhile, the evil Don John plots to destroy Claudio and Hero's love. Shakespeare's delightful play sparkles with the wonderful verbal sparring of Beatrice and Benedick, as high comedy and melodrama mix in a magical combination. Featuring a star cast including Emilia Fox, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Julian Rhind-Tutt, and with specially-composed music, this witty, fast-paced comedy is sure to enchant all listeners. It was first broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 23 September 2001. 2 CDs. 2 hrs 14 mins.