Wells Theatre Festival organisers are excited to announce that William Shakespeare’s much love romantic comedy –Much Ado About Nothingwill be the next community production for the Wells Theatre Festival 11 – 14 July 2019
Following the sell-out success of Wells Theatre Festival’s community performance ofRomeo and Julietlast Summer, the search is on for the stars of 2019.
Much Ado About Nothinghas parts for everyone from the leading roles to the ensemble cast.The play is set in Italy where, victorious in battle, Don Pedro, prince of Aragon, returns to Messina with his half-brother Don John, and his friends and fellow soldiers, Claudio and Benedick. They are welcomed by Leonato, governor of Messina, his beautiful, charming daughter Hero and his feisty and quick witted niece Beatrice. Claudio and Hero fall in love at first sight and become engaged to be married and a masked ball, Benedick and Beatrice however, resume a long-standing quick-fire war of words the minute they set eyes on each other. While the wedding is being planned,Don Pedro, Leonato, and Claudio vow to make husband and wife of Benedick and Beatrice,a formidable challenge asbothprotest that they will never marry and certainly not each other…
Festival patron Dame Judi Dench who played the part of Beatrice opposite Sir Donald Sinden as Benedick in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 1976 production said. “I am so delighted to be patron of the Wells Theatre Festival. Last year’s community production ofRomeo and Julietwas a triumph not only because it delighted packed-out audiences but because of the opportunity it gave the local community to work with professional directors and designers in their own community. I have no doubt that this year’s production will be equally as exciting and successful.”
Ros Johnson, Artistic Director said, “we are looking for people from Wells and the surrounding communities to play all the parts in this next production. Last year’s production of Romeo and Juliet proved to us that no experience is necessary and we are after that raw talent again. Just a passion for theatre and a desire to take part is all you need. There are parts for leading men and women of all ages as well as the ensemble cast of soldiers, servants and locals. We can’t wait to get started.”
Play your part?
Auditions will be held in Wells on Sunday 20 January 2019.
If you would like to audition for a part or to be a member of the ensemble cast please contact ros@wellstheatrefestival.org
