Globe Education Online
Resources for people passionate about learning and engaging with Shakespeare's plays
Much Ado About Nothing (2004)
![Benedick [Josie Lawrence] and Beatirce [Yolanda Vasquez].](http://www.globe-education.org/files/imagecache/lb_slideshow/images/Much_Ado_149.jpg "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 Messina, Don Pedro and his retinue turn their thoughts from war to love, and a happy match is foreseen between Claudio, 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 seeks 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 his night watch are left in the middle to make the peace.
Creative Team
Master of Play: Tamara Harvey
Master of Properties and Hangings: Paul Burgess
Master of Music: Claire van Kampen
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
Discover the Play
• Discover other productions of Much Ado About Nothing at the Globe:
- Much Ado About Nothing (2008 Playing Shakespeare)
• Discover the actors' experiences making the production in Adopt An Actor:
- Yolanda Vazquez as Beatrice
- Ann Ogbomo as Claudio
- Sarah Woodward as Dogberry
- Rachel Sanders as Don John
- Mariah Gale as Hero
- Penelope Beaumont as Leonato
