Much Ado About Nothing

Brighton Open Air Theatre, often referred to locally as BOAT, is hosting a production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing this coming August. The Changeling Theatre company is bringing this specific adaptation to the stage in Dyke Road Park, marking their 25th year of outdoor touring. Since the venue opened in 2015 as a legacy project funded by private donations, it has become a regular fixture for summer performances in the city, operating from May through to the end of September. This particular production is scheduled for the evenings of Wednesday 12th August and Thursday 13th August 2026.

This version of the play takes a gothic approach to the original comedy. The narrative remains set in Messina, following the familiar interactions between Beatrice and Benedick, alongside the central plot involving Hero, Claudio, and the interference of Don John. The production incorporates music and is described as having a sharp, focused tone, highlighting the various twists within the story. While the age recommendation is set at 8+, the themes of scandal and the specific gothic aesthetic suggest a production that may be of interest to a broad range of teenage and adult audiences who are familiar with the original text.

If you are planning to attend, the performances start at 19:00 on both nights, with a total running time of 2 hours and 30 minutes. The venue, which accommodates between 400 and 425 people, opens its doors one hour before the show begins. Regarding the cost, tickets are priced at £19.00 for standard entry, £17.50 for concessions, and £12.00 for those under 25. As the theatre is an open-air space located within the park, it is worth considering the outdoor setting when planning your evening. The production aims to present the play with a distinct visual style, focusing on the dramatic elements of the plot while maintaining the structure of the original Shakespearean comedy.