Much Ado About Nothing

From the Royal Shakespeare Company a modern, definitive edition of Shakespeare's much-loved comedy of the battle between the sexes. With an expert introduction by Sir Jonathan Bate, this unique edition presents a historical overview of Much Ado About Nothing in performance, takes a detailed look at specific productions, and recommends film versions. Included in this edition are three interviews with two leading directors and an actor Marianne Elliott, Nicholas Hytner and Harriet Walter providing an illuminating insight into the extraordinary variety of interpretations that are possible. This edition also includes an essay on Shakespeare's career and Elizabethan theatre, and enables the reader to understand the play as it was originally intended as living theatre to be enjoyed and performed.

Ideal for students, theatre-goers, actors and general readers, the RSC Shakespeare editions offer a fresh, accessible and contemporary approach to reading and rediscovering Shakespeare's works for the twenty-first century.

An exemplary introduction to Much Ado About Nothing by award-winning scholar Sir Jonathan BateThe play with clear and authoritative explanatory notes on each pageA helpful scene-by-scene analysis and key facts about the playA rich exploration of approaches to staging the playPhotographs of classic or unusual performances illustrate different interpretations open to actors or directorsInterviews with two leading directors and an actor Marianne Elliott, Nicholas Hytner and Harriet WalterAn introduction to Shakespeare's career and the Elizabethan theatreA key facts 'box' summarizing the plot, major roles, language and sourcesA clear, single-column page designRecommendations for further reading on key critical approaches and the play in performance, along with recommended viewing

Autorentext

Eric Rasmussen, Jonathan Bate

Klappentext

From the Royal Shakespeare Company - a modern, definitive edition of Shakespeare's much-loved comedy of the battle between the sexes. With an expert introduction by Sir Jonathan Bate, this unique edition presents a historical overview of Much Ado About Nothing in performance, takes a detailed look at specific productions, and recommends film versions. Included in this edition are three interviews with two leading directors and an actor - Marianne Elliott, Nicholas Hytner and Harriet Walter - providing an illuminating insight into the extraordinary variety of interpretations that are possible. This edition also includes an essay on Shakespeare's career and Elizabethan theatre, and enables the reader to understand the play as it was originally intended - as living theatre to be enjoyed and performed.
Ideal for students, theatre-goers, actors and general readers, the RSC Shakespeare editions offer a fresh, accessible and contemporary approach to reading and rediscovering Shakespeare's works for the twenty-first century.

Zusammenfassung
This fresh edition of one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies offers new insights into the play on the page and in performance, offering interviews with directors Nicholas Hytner and Marianne Elliott and actress Harriet Walter alongside student-friendly scene-by-scene analysis and a new introduction from Jonathan Bate.

Inhalt

Introduction.- About the Text.- Key Facts.- Much Ado About Nothing.- Textual Notes.- Scene-by-scene Analysis.- Much Ado in Performance: The RSC and Beyond.- Four Centuries of Much Ado: An Overview.- At the RSC.- The Director's Cut: Interviews with Marianne Elliott and Nicholas Hytner.- Harriet Walter on Playing Beatrice.- Shakespeare's Career in the Theatre.- Shakespeare's Works: A Chronology.- Further Reading and Viewing.- References.- Acknowledgements and Picture Credits