Much Ado About Nothing

by William Shakespeare
Adapted by Don Fleming

One of Shakespeare’s best comedies, Much Ado About Nothing intertwines honor, shame and court politics with hilarity and multiple marriages. The tale begins with the meeting of Hero, the daughter of a nobleman, and Claudio, a soldier and nobleman. They instantly fall and love and decide to be married. When Claudio is tricked into believing Hero has been unfaithful to him, he publicly accuses her of lechery and abandons her at the altar. Hero and her family pretend she has died of shock and grief until the truth comes out. The villains are finally found and arrested, and everyone learns that Hero is innocent, including Claudio, who grieves for her. As punishment, Hero’s father arranges for Claudio to marry her ‘cousin’. At the wedding it is revealed to Claudio that Hero is his actual bride. Hero’s cousin Beatrice is swept up in the joy and agrees to marry Claudio’s friend Benedick, and everyone has a merry dance.

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Quick Details

  • Type: Play
  • Estimated Run Time: 45-60 minutes | Can be cut for competition
  • Availability: Available for productions worldwide
  • Cast Size: 12-23 roles (doubling possible)

Full Details

Roles:

  • Hero, daughter of Leonato
  • Beatrice, niece of Leonato
  • Margaret, gentlewoman attending Hero
  • Ursula, gentlewoman attending Hero
  • Don Pedro, prince of Aragon
  • Don John, his bastard brother
  • Claudio, young lord of Florence
  • Benedick, young lord of Padua
  • Leonato, governor of Messina
  • Antonio, Leonato's brother
  • Balthasar, attendant on Don Pedro
  • Conrate, follower of Don John
  • Borachio, follower of Don John
  • Friar Francis
  • Dogberry, a constable
  • Verges, a headborough
  • Sexton
  • Boy
  • Lord
  • Messenger
  • First, Second, and Third Watchman

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The following resources are included in each performance license:
  • Permission to photocopy the PDF script for your production so there is no additional cost for these assets.

The following resources may be added to you license for an additional fee:
  • Logo/Media package

Don Fleming

Don Fleming produces the Summer Season of student productions for Seattle Children's Theatre. In that capacity. he has written many dramatic adaptations, including Julie of the Wolves, Treasure Island, The Golden Compass, Dracula, The Silver Chair, The Odyssey, Speak, and, most recently, Amazing Voyage, Fight School, and Stargirl. Summer Season shows he has directed include Little Shop of Horrors, Footloose, The Tempest, Pippin, As You Like It, Holes, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Prior to his tenure at SCT, he was a director of The Seattle Theatre Project and a member of the Merrie Japers medieval theatre troupe. Seattle Children's Theatre Drama School Summer Season began in 1985, and provides students with both a challenging rehearsal period and the opportunity to perform on the Charlotte Martin or Eve Alvord stages, with costumes, sets, props, sound, and lights provided by Seattle Children's Theatre's professional technical staff. The SCT Summer Season allows students in grades 4 through 12 to put their skills to work in a fun, professional, safe environment.

This script was originally developed for Seattle Children’s Theatre Summer Season, an acclaimed program in which student actors and theatre professionals come together to produce polished Play. The Summer Season inspired by classic works, were specifically written for students in grades 4 through 12 to develop acting and other theatrical skills.