Our Much Ado About Nothing session takes a deep dive into one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies and the relationship between one of the most beloved romantic couples of all time. Through the performance of key scenes, we examine the contrast between the setting of sunny Messina, with its party atmosphere delighting in language, wit, banter and revelry, with the play’s darker elements. Discussion throughout teases out the tantalising ambiguities of the work. Does it celebrate or condemn trickery and deliberate deception? Does it approve of male dominance over the female body or is it a work of proto-feminism, championing strong women and gender equality in a battle-of-the-sexes type dynamic?  Is it mocking or supporting bro culture and toxic masculinity? Does it treat marriage as the ultimate goal or look down its nose at it? Is Shakespeare using comedy as merely a veil in order to slip in some observations of the darker, more ugly aspects of humanity and its social structures? Guaranteed to engage students through phenomenal performances and rigorous debate, this 90-minute extended session is certain to encourage students to think outside the box, enabling them to write stronger, non-binary essay responses.  

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