RSC’s Much Ado About Nothing to air on BBC Four and stream on iPlayer
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s recent production of Much Ado About Nothing comes to BBC Four and iPlayer this April.
Roy Alexander Weise’s take on the Shakespeare classic recently ran at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Now a filmed version will air on TV and be made available to watch online, premiering on Sunday, 3 April at 8PM on BBC Four.
The production will then be available to watch online on BBC iPlayer for 12 months.
Director Roy Alexander Weise said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to that our production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ will be broadcast on BBC Four this April.
“When I set about working on this play, I knew I wanted to create a version of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ unlike any that had been seen before, in the same way that audiences who watched the play for the first time wouldn’t have had any knowledge of places like Messina, Antium, Venice or Ephesus.
“By setting this production in an imagined future reality, we have the opportunity to see our own world through new eyes. What has the potential to be different? What capacity do we have for change? What attitudes remain the same? And are we ok with that?
“I’ve been blessed to work with an incredible cast and creative team on this show, all of whom have played their part in opening up this wonderful play to audiences, some of which might not have ever felt an affinity with Shakespeare’s language or even considered his plays to be for them.
“Even after 400 years, there’s something that remains so fresh, so open, so alive about Shakespeare’s works and I hope this production helps to unlock some of that potential for all those who visit our ‘Messina’ this year.’
The company comprises Toyin Ayedun-Alase (Don Pedra), Micah Balfour (Don John), Rebecca Banatvala (Seacole), Michael Joel Bartelle (Sexton), Mensah Bediako (Antonio), Christelle Elwin (Messenger), DK Fashola (Friar), Kevin N Golding (Leonato), Akiya Henry (Beatrice), Karen Henthorn (Dogberry), Aruna Jalloh (Verges), Sapphire Joy (Margaret), Curtis Kemlo (Borachio), Enoch Lwanga (Oatcake), Mohammed Mansaray (Claudio), Taya Ming (Hero), Miles Mitchell (Conrade), Nicole Sawyer (Understudy), Khai Shaw (Balthasar), Luke Wilson (Benedick) and Adeola Yemitan (Ursula).
The production features Set Design by Jemima Robinson, Lighting Design by Azusa Ono, Sound Design by Claire Windsor, Movement by DK Fashola and Dramaturgy by Anthony Simpson-Pike. Costume Design is by Melissa Simon-Hartman, a London-based artist, couture fashion designer and owner of Simon-Hartman London, whose West African and West Indian inspired designs recently featured in a powerful catalogue of music videos including ‘Mood 4 Eva’ and ‘My Power’ as part of Beyonce’s 2020 visual album: Black Is King.
The production will also feature an original score by Nigerian-born British guitarist and MOBO award-nominated musician Femi Temowo whose past collaborators include Amy Winehouse, Dee Dee Bridgewater, The Roots and Soweto Kinch.
