Show overview
Much Ado About Nothing has published 13 episodes during 2013. Releases follow a near-daily cadence.
Episodes typically run under ten minutes — most land between 2 min and 3 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Arts show.
The catalogue appears to be on hiatus or wound down — the most recent episode landed 13.3 years ago, with no new episodes in over a year. Published by National Theatre.
From the publisher
In Much Ado About Nothing Benedick and Beatrice are engaged in a very "merry war"; they are both proclaim their scorn for love, marriage, and each other. In contrast, Claudio and Hero are idealistic young people fall who fall in love at first sight. By means of "noting" (which sounds the same as "nothing," and which is gossip, rumour, and overhearing) these characters go through a series of misunderstandings, mishaps and heartbreak. This collection is from the NT Archive, filmed as part of the 2007 production at the National Theatre directed by Nicholas Hytner. Included in this collection are interviews with Nicholas Hytner, Simon Russell Beale and Zoë Wanamaker, as well as a workpack featuring teacher's notes.
Latest Episodes
Much Ado About Nothing - Workpack
This is a workpack for Nicholas Hytner's 2007 production of Much Ado About Nothing. Included in this pack are teaching notes and articles on various aspects of the play
Olivier Ford Davies analyses Leonato's speech
Olivier Ford Davies (Leonato) offers an in-depth analysis of his character's speech during the wedding scene.
Simon Russell Beale talks us through the wedding scene
Simon Russell Beale talks through the wedding scene from Benedick's point of view. He explains how Claudio's denouncement of Hero is a turning point for Benedick, which prompts him to side with the women in the play for the first time. It's also the point in the play when Benedick confesses his love for Beatrice, and when Beatrice asks Benedick to kill Claudio.
Simon Russell Beale and Zoë Wanamaker on Benedick and Beatrice
Simon Russell Beale (Benedick) and Zoë Wanamaker (Beatrice) discuss the relationship between their characters and talk about the darker elements in their 'merry war'.
Olivier Ford Davies on how Shakespeare's approach
Olivier Ford Davies (Leonato) talks about the use of language and emphasises Shakespeare's interest in the affect action has on the characters in his plays.
Nicholas Hytner on Claudio's visit to Hero's grave
Nicholas Hytner (Director) explains why it is important that Claudio visits Hero's grave prior to the final scene where she is actually revealed to be alive and well.
Nicholas Hytner on Dogberry and Verges' scenes
Nicholas Hytner (Director) talks about the difficulties in staging the scenes involving Dogberry, Verges and the Watch, and how he approached this in his 2007 production.
Nicholas Hytner on Benedick's gulling scene
Nicholas Hytner (Director) recognises Benedick's gulling scene as one of the most genuinely funny comic scenes in Shakespeare and discusses how he staged the scene during rehearsals.
Noting in Much Ado About Nothing
In Elizabethan English, 'nothing' was pronounced in the same way as 'noting' - meaning to gossip, watch, and overhear. Nicholas Hytner (Director) and Simon Russell Beale (Benedick) discuss how this was conveyed in the 2007 production.
Susannah Fielding on light and dark moments in the play
Susannah Fielding (Hero) talks about the light and dark moments within the play.
Andrew Woodall on Don John
Andrew Woodall (Don John) talks about the importance of his character is forwarding the action of the play.
Simon Russell Beale on Benedick's backstory
Simon Russell Beale (Benedict) talks about the backstory to his portrayal in Nicholas Hytner's 2007 production, from his relationships with women and his profession as a soldier.
Susannah Fielding on tragic elements in the play
Susannah Fielding (Hero) points to darker elements in the play - in the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick as well as the very intense scene where Hero is denounced at the wedding.