Tuesday 4 March 2014

Royal Exchange: Much Ado About Nothing

Director Maria Aberg makes her Royal Exchange debut with one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies at the Royal Exchange Theatre this spring:
Much Ado About Nothing
By William Shakespeare  
Directed by Maria Aberg
Designed by Merle Hensel  
The Royal Exchange Theatre
St Ann’s Square, Manchester
Thursday 27 March – Saturday 3 May 2014

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Shakespeare’s fresh and ferocious comedy of mistaken identity and love comes to Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre from Thursday 27 March – Saturday 3 May 2014.

It’s a play of parallel love stories – the young impetuous Claudio and Hero fall in love immediately and start planning their wedding in just seven days’ time. The wiser Beatrice and Benedick wage a witty war of words, doing all in their power to resist love. Set in a celebratory post-war world, where men and women are renegotiating new rules between the sexes, the action culminates in a joyful celebration of love.  

Director Maria Aberg makes her Royal Exchange debut, following successes with AS YOU LIKE IT and KING JOHN at the RSC. She says of the show ‘For a play as joyous as this – in which community and celebration is so important – the Royal Exchange may well be the perfect theatre.  Audiences can expect joy, belly laughs and hopefully the odd teary eye. A surprising and heartfelt evening about the rough and irresistible magic of falling in love.’  

The cast includes Gerard Kearns as Claudio, last at the Royal Exchange in THE ACCRINGTON PALS, and best known for his role in SHAMELESS (Channel 4).  Paul Ready makes his Royal Exchange debut as Benedick, his theatre appearances include IN THE REPUBLIC OF HAPPINESS, WASTWATER, FORTY WINKS (Royal Court) as well as many productions at the National Theatre, and his television work includes RIPPER STREET, UTOPIA and SILK.  Ellie Piercey plays Beatrice and is also a Royal Exchange newcomer, her theatre work includes ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR and ROMEO AND JULIET (Shakespeare's Globe). The cast also includes Beverly Rudd (TROLLIED, Sky TV) and Milo Twomey whose numerous Royal Exchange appearance include LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN, BLITHE SPIRIT and THE CHILDREN’S HOUR 

The full cast are: Jason Baughan, Marty Cruickshank, Danny Dalton, Sandy Foster, Becci Gemmell, David Judge, Gerard Kearns, Geoff Leesley, Sophia Nomvete, James Pearse, Ellie Piercy, Paul Ready, Beverly Rudd, Milo Twomey.   

For further information, images, or for interview / press review ticket requests, please contact ANNEKA MORLEY on 0161 615 6784 / anneka.morley@royalexchange.co.uk  

Production photos for MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING  will be available for download from the Royal Exchange Theatre Online Press Office from Friday 28 March at  www.royalexchange.co.uk/press  

Link to online information http://www.royalexchange.co.uk/muchado
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING - Listings Information
The Royal Exchange Theatre presents
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Maria Aberg
Designed by Merle Hensel
The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Thursday 27 March – Saturday 3 May 2014
Evening Performance Times: Monday – Friday, 7.30pm, Saturdays, 8pm
Matinee Performance Times: Wednesdays, 2.30pm, Saturdays, 3.30pm
Extra Matinee: Tuesday 8 April and Thursday 17 April at 2.30pm
Press Night: Tuesday 1 April, 7.30pm
Half Price Previews: Thursday 27 & Friday 28 March
Ticket Prices: From £10 (Concessions Available)
Cheap Seats: Tickets £6.00 for Students and 25-year-olds and under, Fridays only
Audio-described Performance: Saturday 26 April, 3.30pm
BSL Interpreted Performance: Tuesday 29 April, 7.30pm
Captioned Performance: Tuesday 22 April, 7.30pm
Backstage tour: Wednesday 2 April, 11am
After-show Discussion: Thursday 24 April after 7.30pm performance
Box Office: 0161 833 9833.

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