BAWDS adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy, set in Christmas-time early Edwardian England, with masked suppers and comic courtship.
Much Ado About Nothing runs from 8 to 12 December at the ADC Theatre, Park Street, Cambridge CB5 8AS. It's an adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy, and this one moves the action to early Edwardian England, set around Christmas time. The story follows a noble household that 'decks the halls' and welcomes officers returning from war, with two very different love matches unfolding against a backdrop of fireside banter, courtyard antics, masked suppers and comic courtship.
It's a world that doesn't stay quite so cosy, though. The production lets the lighter side of the play run alongside the darker edges, with deceit, scandal and heartache threatening the household. The Edwardian setting gives the whole thing a particular flavour — the masked balls and the formal courtship of the period fit the plot well, and the Christmas timing adds its own layer to the gathering of friends and family. It's a comedy, but it's one that keeps its eye on the mess that can happen when things go wrong behind closed doors.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Cambridge and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
The production is adapted and directed by Madeleine Forrester, who's taken the original text and reshaped it for this particular setting. The run is short, from 8 to 12 December, so you've only a few days to catch it. If you're around Cambridge in early December and fancy a bit of Shakespeare, this is a good one to keep on your radar.
