Rehearsal images have been released for the Rose Theatre’s upcoming production of Much Ado About Nothing. Here’s a glimpse of what has been happening…
Playing at the Rose Theatre in Kingston from the 13th April, Simon Dormandy’s production is set to star Mel Giedroyc (The Great British Bake Off) as Beatrice and John Hopkins (The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ – The Musical, Menier Chocolate Factory, The Boys in the Band Park Theatre/Vaudeville Theatre) as Benedick.
The cast also includes:Peter Bray (Don John/House Clerk), Sam Dastor (Antonio/Verges), Peter Guinness (Don Pedro), Victoria Hamnett (Margaret/Watchman), Kate Lamb (Hero), Calam Lynch (Claudio), Caolan McCarthy (Conrad/Friar), Nicholas Prasad (Borachio), David Rintoul (Leonato), Katherine Toy (Ursula/Hugh Oatcake), Stewart Wright (Dogberry) and Silas Wyatt-Barke (Balthazar/George Seacole).
Don Pedro is victorious. The turf war in the city is won and the Mafia overlord brings his entourage to Messina, a luxury spa hotel deep in the Sicilian hills, to hide out, recover and party. While Leonato, the hotel owner, fawns over his clan boss, his daughter, Hero, wins the heart of the Don’s young protégé. Meanwhile, Beatrice, the no-nonsense, customer-experience manager, has unfinished business to see to with Benedick, Pedro’s commitment-phobic consigliere. But when Hero is disgraced, the party is over, love turns to hatred and new battle lines are drawn.
The production reunites Mel Giedroyc with director Simon Dormandy following their collaboration on the UK première of Luce by JC Lee in 2016. Simon Dormandy’s previous credits include Julius Caesar for Bristol Old Vic; collaborating with Simon McBurney on The Encounter, recently on Broadway and two main-house shows at the Arcola – a reimagined Waiting for Godot with a young comic double-act in the leading roles.
The creative team for the production includes: lighting by Paul Pyant, choreography by Jason Piper, sound design by Jon Nicholls and designs by Naomi Dawson.
Much Ado About Nothing will play at the Rose Theatre in Kingston from the 13th April until the 6th May. For more information and to book tickets visit: https://www.rosetheatrekingston.org/whats-on/much-ado-about-nothing