Much Ado About Nothing
Synopsis:
Two pairs of lovers: Benedick and Beatrice (the main couple), and Claudio and Hero (the secondary couple). Benedick and Beatrice are engaged in a very "merry war"; they are both very witty and proclaim their disdain of love. In contrast, Claudio and Hero are sweet young people who are rendered practically speechless by their love for one another. Although the young lovers Hero and Claudio provide much of the impetus for the plot, the courtship between the wittier, wiser lovers Benedick and Beatrice is what makes Much Ado About Nothing so memorable. Benedick and Beatrice argue with delightful wit, and Shakespeare develops their journey from antagonism to sincere love and affection with a rich sense of humor and compassion.
By means of "nothing" (which sounds the same as "noting," and which is gossip, rumour, and overhearing), Benedick and Beatrice are tricked into confessing their love for each other, and Claudio is tricked into rejecting Hero at the altar on the erroneous belief that she has been unfaithful. However, Dogberry a Constable who is a master of malapropisms, discovers the evil trickery of the villain, Don John. In the end, Don John runs away and everyone else joins in a dance celebrating the marriages of the two couples.
Cast:
Benedick, companion of Don Pedro.
Don Pedro, prince of Aragon.
Claudio, companion of Don Pedro, friend of Benedick.
Balthasar, attendant of Don Pedro, a singer.
Don John, brother of Don Pedro.
Borachio and Conrade, followers of Don Pedro.
Leonato, governon of Messina, Hero's father.
Hero, Leonato's daughter.
Beatrice, niece of Leonato
Antonio, an old man, brother of Leonato.
Margaret, attendant on Hero.
Ursula, attendant on Hero.
Friar Francis, a priest.
Dogberry, in charge of Messina's night watch.
Verges, the Headborough, Dogberry's partner.
A Sexton, the judge of the trial of Borachio.
The Watch, watchmen of Messina.
A boy, serving Benedick.
Innogen, a ghost character included in early editions as Leonato's wife.
Casting For Grade 7:
Benedick - B.K
Don Pedro - Jonathan
Claudio - Wilson
Balthasar - Elijah
Don John - Lawrence
Borachio and Conrade - B.Y and Oscar
Leonato - Timothy
Hero - Alkmini
Beatrice - Haruka
Antonio - Ryan
Margaret - Christine
Ursula - Sally
Friar Francis - Elijah
Dogberry - Zoe
Verges - Alkmini
A Sexton - Kevin
The watch - Gabriel, Ryan, Kevin, Oscar.
A Boy - Gabriel
Innogen - Zoe
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