Simon Russell Beale talks through the wedding scene from Benedick's point of view. He explains how Claudio's denouncement of Hero is a turning point for Benedick, which prompts him to side with the women in the play for the first time. It's also the point in the play when Benedick confesses his love for Beatrice, and when Beatrice asks Benedick to kill Claudio.

Simon Russell Beale talks us through the wedding scene

In Much Ado About Nothing Benedick and Beatrice are engaged in a very "merry war"; they are both proclaim their scorn for love, marriage, and each other. In contrast, Claudio and Hero are idealistic young people fall who fall in love at first sight. By means of "noting" (which sounds the same as "nothing," and which is gossip, rumour, and overhearing) these characters go through a series of misunderstandings, mishaps and heartbreak. This collection is from the NT Archive, filmed as part of the 2007 production at the National Theatre directed by Nicholas Hytner. Included in this collection are interviews with Nicholas Hytner, Simon Russell Beale and Zoë Wanamaker, as well as a workpack featuring teacher's notes.

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Simon Russell Beale talks us through the wedding scene

Simon Russell Beale talks us through the wedding scene

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