Bell Shakespeare return to Alice Springs

The Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture’s Araluen Arts Centre presents the 2019 national tour of Bell Shakespeare’s contemporary production Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare’s timeless comic gem about romance, misinformation and broken promises.

“We are always delighted to welcome Bell Shakespeare back to the Araluen Arts Centre, and their 2019 national tour production of Much Ado About Nothing will be a powerful exploration of the struggle for identity and self-knowledge in a male-dominated world,” Senior Director of the Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture’s Araluen Cultural Precinct, Felicity Green said.

Much Ado About Nothing is a saucy and razor-sharp battle of wits between the bickering Beatrice and Benedick. They wield words as weapons, their banter betraying their love for each other.

However, the idyllic love of their friends Claudio and Hero comes tumbling down thanks to the dastardly plot of Don John, and Beatrice and Benedick must join forces to defend true love – even if they can’t recognise it in themselves.

The production stars Zindzi Okenyo as Beatrice, previously seen in ABC’s The Code and Janet King and Bell Shakespeare’s 2018 production of Antony and Cleopatra. She will be joined by Duncan Ragg as Benedick, as well as Vivienne Awosoga, Danny Ball, Marissa Bennett, Mandy Bishop, Will McDonald, Suzanne Pereira, Paul Reichstein and David Whitney.

After directing last year’s national tour of Julius Caesar, Bell Shakespeare’s Artistic Director James Evans is thrilled to return as director for the 2019 tour.

“Much Ado About Nothing is the original ‘from hate to love’ romantic comedy that we’ve seen repeated in films and plays since Shakespeare’s time. But beneath its sparkling wit and hilarious characters, there is a dark conflict that drives this play to the edge of tragedy,” Evans said

“The story flips from uproarious comedy to utter heartbreak in an instant, and then back again. That is the genius of Shakespeare, and why this play is one of my absolute favourites.”

Much Ado About Nothing will be live onstage at the Araluen Arts Centre on Tuesday 17 September, 8.00pm.

Ticket prices are $70 for adults, $67.50 for concessions and $65 for Araluen Arts Centre Members. Tickets are available online or from the Araluen Box Office on (08) 8951 1122.

Images:
The cast of Bell Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Photo by Clare Hawley.