BBC Television is to broadcast Roy Alexander Weise’s production of Much Ado About Nothing after it completes its run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford.
It will air on BBC Four on Sunday 3 April at 8PM and will mark the start of BBC Arts’ new Sunday Night Performances on the channel. The Royal Shakespeare Company production will then be available on BBC iPlayer for 12 months.
Director Roy Alexander Weise said, “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.
“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 whom 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), D K 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 D K Fashola and dramaturgy by Anthony Simpson-Pike. Costume design is by Melissa Simon-Hartman.
The production also features an original score by Nigerian-born British guitarist Femi Temowo whose past collaborators include Amy Winehouse, Dee Dee Bridgewater, The Roots and Soweto Kinch.