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Much Ado About Nothing

For some, love begins at first sight. For others, love has been forsworn. Much Ado About Nothing follows the story of two men: Claudio, who fights for his love for Hero, and Benedick, who has forsworn women until his friends make him believe that he has caught the eye of Lady Beatrice.

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Play On Shakespeare > Comedy > Much Ado About Nothing

At a Glance

Love • Disguise • Jealousy

Artists

Playwright

Ranjit Bolt

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Dramaturg

Artist Headshot

Lydia G. Garcia

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Productions, Readings & Workshops

Much Ado About Nothing

May 6-7, 2022 | 1623 Theatre Company | Production | Coalville, Leicestershire, UK

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Much Ado About Nothing

May 5-8, 2022 | Breaking Wave Theatre Company | Production | Mangilao, Guam

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Much Ado About Nothing

April 29 – May 2, 2021 | Production | Davis Shakespeare Festival | Davis, CA, USA
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Much Ado About Nothing

1623 Theatre Company | Reading | October 19, 2020 | Online
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Paperback & eBooks

Much Ado About Nothing

By William Shakespeare
Translation by Ranjit Bolt

Ranjit Bolt updates Much Ado About Nothing with a merry new translation.​

In Much Ado About Nothing, a series of miscommunications and misunderstandings spiral out of control, leaving two sets of lovers to untangle their words and their hearts. Ranjit Bolt, an accomplished translator, takes on Shakespeare’s well-loved comedy to update much of the obscure language while maintaining the humor, characterization, and wit that audiences know and love. For modern readers, Beatrice, Benedick, Hero, and Claudio are just as enchanting as always—and perhaps funnier than ever before.

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Production History

June 6, 2019

Play On! Festival NYC

Rehearsal and Staged Reading directed by Desdemona Chiang with full cast as part of the Play On! Translation Festival in NYC.

Produced by:
Play On! / Classic Stage / Oregon Shakespeare Festival

April 17, 2020

FIRST READS: An Online Educational Series

A livestreamed exploration of Much Ado About Nothing featuring actors from across the country under the direction of Desdemona Chiang.

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