Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Kenneth Branagh brings the William Shakespeare play to life in this 'spirited' (Variety), star-studded adaptation of the classic comedy. Following the screening, guests will discuss this adaptation in anticipation of the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s Summer 2022 production of the play.
Hero (Kate Beckinsale) and her groom-to-be, Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard), team up with Claudio’s commanding officer, Don Pedro (Denzel Washington), the week before their wedding to hatch a matchmaking scheme. Their targets are sharp-witted duo Benedick (Kenneth Branagh) and Beatrice (Emma Thompson) — a tough task indeed, considering their corresponding distaste for love and each other. Meanwhile, meddling Don John (Keanu Reeves) plots to ruin the wedding.
ABOUT COMMONWEALTH SHAKESPEARE COMPANY (CSC)
Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, best known for its annual free performances on Boston Common, is a non-profit theater organization founded in 1996, dedicated to artistic excellence, accessibility, and education. CSC’s Free Shakespeare on the Common has served over one million audience members over its 25-year history and has become a beloved summer tradition enjoyed by more than 50,000 people annually. After a hiatus in 2020 because of the Covid pandemic, CSC presented The Tempest on Boston Common in the summer of 2021. In addition to its live theatre productions, CSC has also presented a variety of virtual programs, most particularly in the past year. The company also runs the CSC Academy, which provides education programs for middle and high school students and training programs for opportunities for early-career performers. For more information visit commshakes.org.
PANEL DETAILS
- Yu Jin Ko , Professor of English at Wellesley College and Shakespeare expert (moderator)
- Megan Sandberg-Zakian, director of CSC’s summer production on Boston Common
- Debra Wise, actress, CSC's upcoming production of Much Ado About Nothing
The Coolidge’s film and video exhibition areas are accessible by elevators. All are also equipped with a variety of options for patrons that are hard of hearing, deaf, blind, and/or visually impaired. Unlike the other films in the Shakespeare Reimagined series, Much Ado About Nothing will not include open caption accessibility due the limited availability of accessible cinematic media formats of this film. We apologize for this inconvenience. For questions about accessibility or to make any disability-related accommodation requests, please email info@coolidge.org.
