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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Rehearsing a dance

The company rehearse a dance for the masked ball. By wearing masks, the actors experience the restricted vision which they will have when wearing their full mask in the finished production.

Act and Scene: In rehearsal
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-03-13
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Sharing the bench

This bench is a focal point in several scenes. Here in rehearsal, Tamsin Greig and Sam O'Mahony-Adams try out ways of using it during a dance scene.

Act and Scene: In rehearsal
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-03-13
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Much Ado is set in a hierarchical society. This game helps actors understand how characters interact. Players move around, reacting to the others according to status: higher number = higher status. Finally, the players must line up in order.

Act and Scene: In rehearsal
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-03-13
Copyright: © RSC 2006

The jester

Adam Rayner entertains the men in rehearsals for the masked ball. This isn't part of the scene - he's just making the others laugh during a break! It's important the company enjoys working together and sharing laughter like this helps build team spirit.

Act and Scene: In rehearsal
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-03-13
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Reaction

Yvette, Morven, Tamsin and Amy rehearse a section of the masked ball where they react as the men come out in their masks. In this scene, the reaction from the other people on the stage is just as important as the main action.

Act and Scene: In rehearsal
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-03-13
Copyright: © RSC 2006

Team huddle

Jonny Weir, Patrick Robinson and Joseph Millson huddle together in a dance rehearsal.

Act and Scene: In rehearsal
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-03-13

Dirty dancing

Claudio needs cause to think that Don Pedro will marry Hero so Patrick Robinson (Pedro) and Morven Christie (Hero) rehearse an intricate sexy dance.

Act and Scene: In rehearsal
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-03-13

Masked mystery

Joseph Millson leads the company in rehearsing a dance.

Act and Scene: In rehearsal
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-03-13

Superheroes?

Patrick Robinson and Joseph Millson in a dance rehearsal. Everyone took part in dances rehearsals even though they may not be in the scene in the finished production. This ensemble approach means that the whole team helps create the right atmosphere.

Act and Scene: In rehearsal
Credit: Ellie Kurttz
Date: 2006-03-13