Much Ado About Nothing: The original rom-com gets a 21st century makeover

The Shakespeare Company is partnering with Full Circle Theatre to present Much Ado About Nothing at the West Village Theatre.

Much Ado About Nothing might not be the original romantic comedy, but if’s got to be close.

The comedy which tells the story of the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick, is thought to have been written around 1598, before daily newspapers -- and theatre critics -- even existed.

Talk about a word-of-mouth hit!

Now, Calgary’s Shakespeare Company is teaming up with Full Circle Theatre to present a new, 21st century production of the romantic comedy that inspired such contemporary Hollywood hits as Anyone But You, the 2024 film starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell.

It’s a follow-up of sorts to past Full Circle productions such as Riverona, which was a teen drama adaptation of Romeo and Juliet by Full Circle, a Calgary independent theatre company launched in 2010 by Erin Weir and Claire Bolton, a pair of U of C graduates.

The company, a collective that celebrates women in theatre, is teaming up with The Shakespeare Company, whose artistic director Richard Beaune is returning to the stage in Much Ado to play Dogberry.

Beaune said in an email to CTV News that acting in Shakespeare is more fun than directing it.

“I’d say that acting is more playful, more fun and less work than directing or producing, and playing a role like Dogberry is just a bunch of silly nonsense, so it’s an extreme example of all of that,” he said. There is a tremendous pride that comes from directing and/or producing that is more deeply rewarding, but acting is a wild rush that can’t be equaled. It’s a bit like the difference between being a child and being a parent."

“Beyond that,” he added, “with Shakespeare, an actor has an opportunity to embody the text in a much more detailed and intimate way than a director ever should - at least in my view of directing.”

As for Much Ado, the themes of a 16th century romance will be recognizable to a 21st century audience, Weir said in a media release.

“At the heart of this production is an exploration of trust,” she said. “How it’s built, how it’s broken, and what it costs us. As love stories unravel and friendships are tested, the audience is asked: what does it mean to truly believe in someone?”

Much Ado About Nothing runs through June 28 at West Village Theatre. For more information, go here or here.