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Benedick [Josie Lawrence] and Beatirce [Yolanda Vasquez]. Photo: John Tramper

Don Pedro: Your silence most offends me, and to be merry best becomes you; for out o' question, you were born in a merry hour.

Beatrice: No, sure , my lord, my mother cried. But then there was a star danced, and under that was I born.

2.1.305-309

After a period of war, Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, has successfully concluded a peace with his bastard brother, Don John. Arriving at the house of Leonato in Messnia, Don pedro and his retinue turn their thoughts from war to love, and a happy match is foreseen between claudi, one of Don Pedro's men, and Hero, Leonato's daughter.

At the same time, a plan is afoot to bring about a more unlikely pairing. Whilst Benedick and Beatrice are engaged in a stubborn battle of wit and will, Don Pedro seekd to unite the two as lovers.

Meanwhile, the satanic presence of Don John, avenging himself on his brother, seeks to divide the fragile love of Hero and Claudio. Friar Francis, Dogberry and is night watch are left in the middle to make the peace.

Cast

Penelope Beaumont – Leonato
Penelope Dimond – Antonio
Mariah Gale – Hero
Yolanda Vazquez – Beatrice
Joy Richardson – Margaret
Lucy Campbell – Ursula
Belinda Davison – Don Pedro
Josie Lawrence – Benedick
Ann Ogbomo – Claudio
Joyce Henderson – Balthasar
Rachel Sanders – Don John
Hannah Barrie – Conrade
Gabriel Reidy – Borachio
Sarah Woodward – Dogberry
Jules Melvin – Verges
Joyce Henderson – George Seacoal
Joy Richardson – 2nd Watchman
Penelope Dimond – 3rd Watchman
Lucy Campbell – A Sexton
Jules Melvin – Friar Francis

Directed by Tamara Harvey

Much Ado About Nothing was performed in 2004, as part of the Season of Star-Crossed Lovers.