Melbourne’s favourite outdoor theatre company is returning to the Royal Botanic Gardens with a pop-rock adaptation of a classic Shakespearean comedy. Much Ado About Nothing is often cited as the prototypical rom-com exemplifying the enemies-to-lovers trope, but have you ever seen the well-known plot played out via a battle of the bands between the Babes of Disdain and Benedick and the Love Gods? We neither, but colour us intrigued.
The Australian Shakespeare Company is bringing its '90s pop-rock-infused adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing to Melbourne from February 23 until March 17. Pack a picnic basket and stroll down to the Southern Cross Lawn for a guaranteed night of trusty sitcom laughs, bangin’ tunes and a whole lotta love.
Not an expert on The Bard? No worries. Australian Shakespeare Company artistic director Glenn Elston says this version is easy to digest. “Our adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing is for everyone, not just Shakespeare lovers,” he says.
“We’ve arranged a pop-musical score inspired by the play’s original text, and matched it with costumes and staging that are very 2024.”
For more information and to get your tickets, head to the website.