Much Ado About Nothing

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<div><b><big><big>Much Ado About Nothing</big></big></b></div><div><b><big>by William Shakespeare</big></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Presented by the Online Stage</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Much Ado About Nothing was probably written about 1598 and first published in the First Folio of 1623.</div><div><br /></div><div>In one of his darker comedies, Shakespeare explores the themes of love, fidelity, innuendo and betrayal.  The plays opens in a frolic of merriment,  but the mood darkens with the entrance of sinister Don John, one of the most unrelievedly villainous characters in the Shakesperean canon. His machinations to wreck the marriage of Claudio and Hero are eventually exposed by the inadvertent arrival of the sententious Constable Dogberry, but not before significant damage has been done to the idyllic relationship between the young lovers.   As a counterpoint to the adolescent passion of Claudio and Hero, Shakespeare adds a subplot featuring the rather cynical courtship ritual played out by Beatrice and Benedick.   </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Cast</b></div><div>Leonato - Noel Badrian</div><div>Hero - Becca Maggie</div><div>Beatrice - Michele Eaton</div><div>Leonato's Brother/First Watchman - Joseph Tabler</div><div>Margaret - Charlotte Duckett</div><div>Ursula/Boy - Maureen Boutilier</div><div>Don Pedro (Prince) - Jeff Moon</div><div>Count Claudio - David Pricket</div><div>Signior Benedick- Brett Downey</div><div>Messenger/Balthasar/Second Watchman/Sexton/Lord - Phil Benson</div><div>Signior Antonio/Friar/First Lord - Denis Daly</div><div>Don John - Andrew Coleman</div><div>Borachio - John Burlinson</div><div>Conrade - Peter Tucker</div><div>Dogberry - Bob Neufeld</div><div>Verges - Marty Kris</div><div>George Seacoal - Norman Elfer</div><div>Stage directions read by Alan Weyman</div><div><br /></div><div>Audio edited by Denis Daly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cover design by Denis Daly<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Music</div><div>Act 5</div><div>Excerpts from Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No.1 by Ottorino Respighi</div><div>Performed by United State Marine Band</div><div><br /></div><div>Song - Act 5 Scene 3</div><div>Pardon, goddess of the night</div><div>Sung by Leanne Yau</div><div><br /></div><div>The script for this recording was kindly provided by Folger Digital Texts.</div><div><br /></div><div>This recording may be freely downloaded and distributed, as long as the Online Stage is credited as the author.  It may not be used for commercial purposes or distributed in an edited or remixed form.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Online Stage is collective of narrators and actors who have come together to present productions of classic dramatic works in audio format.</div><div><br /></div><div>For further information about The Online Stage or to explore our catalogue please visit: </div><div><a href="http://www.onlinestage.org/" rel="nofollow"><b>The Online Stage</b></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>

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