2005 Season - Genesius Guild

Shakespeare: “Much Ado About Nothing”

This is one of Shakespeare’s most admired works, a comedy with dark overtones; a combination of two love stories, involving people of contrasting temperaments; and a resolution by the humble of the problems of the mighty. Unique among his comedies, three-quarters of the play is in prose.

A key to staging the play may be found in the title. To the English of Shakespeare’s day, “nothing” and “noting” sounded very similar. The plot proceeds through a series of misunderstanding, brought about by “noting”: everything is overheard, misheard, or constructed on purpose for eavesdropping. “Nothing” is a also a word of female sexual connotation, suggesting much ado in the pursuit of women.