Exploring Shakespeare

Much Ado - Act 5 Scene 2

Watch as Benedick (Joseph Millson) declares his love for Beatrice (Tamsin Greig) and tells her he has challenged Claudio.

Marianne Elliott and Alex Sims

Find out more about casting, development and rehearsals from director Marianne and assistant Alex.

Rehearsal photo gallery

Join the actors behind the scenes at a dance rehearsal.

Performance gallery - Acts 1, 2 & 3

Marianne Elliott's 2006 RSC production, from the return of the army and the masked ball to the hilarious matchmaking.

Performance gallery - Acts 4 & 5

Marianne Elliott's 2006 RSC production, from Hero's disasterous wedding to the play's happy conclusion.

Teachers' notes [PDF 630K]

Activities for teaching Much Ado, based on RSC rehearsal room practice. (You need PDF reader software.)

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You are a rare parrot-teacher

Benedick (Joseph Millson) returns from war and Beatrice (Tamsin Greig) covers up her interest in him by being rude.

Act and Scene: Act 1 Scene 1
Credit: Simon Annand
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

The revellers are entering

The soldiers and household prepare for the masked ball.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 1
Credit: Simon Annand
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Will you not tell me who you are?

Beatrice (Tamsin Greig) grills Benedick (Joseph Millson).

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 1
Credit: Simon Annand
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

This was Signior Benedick that said so

Beatrice (Tamsin Greig) plays along with Benedick's pretence (Joseph Millson).

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

The masked ball

The revellers dance.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

The masked ball

Beatrice (Tamsin Greig) surrounded by dancers at the ball.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 1
Credit: Simon Annand
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

The masked ball

The revellers dance.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

All hearts in love use their own tongues

Claudio (Adam Rayner) thinks he has lost Hero to Don Pedro.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

I'll be revenged as I may

Alone, Benedick (Joseph Millson) thinks about Beatrice.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Wilt thou make a trust a transgression?

Pedro (Patrick Robinson) asks Benedick (Joseph Millson) about Claudio.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Will you have me, lady?

Pedro (Patrick Robinson) jokingly offers himself as a husband to Beatrice (Tamsin Greig).

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

I can cross it

Borachio (Jamie Ballard) and Don John (Jonny Weir) discuss a plan to prevent Claudio marrying Hero.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 2
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

How hushed the evening is

Don Pedro (Patrick Robinson), Claudio (Adam Rayner) and Leonato (Nicholas Day) enter the bar.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 3
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

We'll hear that song again

Nightclub singer Balthasar (Yvette Rochester-Duncan) performs 'Sigh no more'.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 3
Credit: Simon Annand
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Your niece Beatrice was in love with Benedick?

Aware that Benedick (Joseph Millson) is hiding behind a plant, Don Pedro (Patrick Robinson) announces that Beatrice loves him.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 3
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Bait the hook well; this fish will bite.

Claudio (Adam Rayner) can see that their plan will work and continues to discuss Beatrice's love of Benedick with Leonato (Nicholas Day) and Don Pedro (Patrick Robinson).

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 3
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

I should think this a gull

Hiding behind a pot plant, Benedick (Joseph Millson) can't believe his ears but decides Leonato must be telling the truth.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 3
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

He doth indeed show some sparks that are like wit.

Claudio (Adam Rayner) and Don Pedro (Patrick Robinson) discuss Benedick's qualities (Joseph Millson), right in front of his hiding place.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 3
Credit: Simon Annand
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

I am sent to bid you come in for dinner.

Beatrice (Tamsin Greig) uses a novel method of calling Benedick (Joseph Millson) in for dinner.

Act and Scene: Act 2 Scene 3
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Say that thou overheard'st us

Hero (Morven Christie), with Ursula (Caroline Wildi) sends Margaret (Amy Brown) to fetch Beatrice.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11

But are you sure that Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely?

As Beatrice (Tamsin Greig) listens in, Ursula (Caroline Wildi) and Hero (Morven Christie) discuss Benedick.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11

Nature never framed a woman's heart of prouder stuff than that of Beatrice.

Hero (Morven Christie) and Ursula (Caroline Wildi) pretend not to notice Beatrice (Tamsin Greig) as they talk about her.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11

She would spell him backward

While Beatrice (Tamsin Greig) tiptoes nearer to listen, Hero (Morven Christie) and Ursula (Caroline Wildi) list ways in which she would be rude to Benedick if they told her he was in love with her.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 1
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11

Yet say I, he is in love.

Don Pedro (Patrick Robinson) and Claudio (Adam Rayner) tease Benedick (Joseph Millson).

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 2
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11

The greatest note of it is his melancholy.

Don Pedro (Patrick Robinson) and Claudio (Adam Rayner) tease Benedick (Joseph Millson) about being in love with Beatrice.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 2
Credit: Simon Annand
Date: 2006-05-11

Don John (Jonny Weir) joins Claudio (Adam Rayner) and Pedro (Patrick Robinson) and claims that Hero is unfaithful and he can prove it. Claudio (Adam Rayner) says he will shame Hero at the wedding if he sees Hero with another man.

Act and Scene: Act 3 Scene 2
Credit: Suzanne Worthington
Date: 2006-05-11