The search for perfect love and la dolce vita triggers mischief, misunderstandings and laughter, as Shakespeare’s great romantic comedy lands in 1950s Italy.
Date/Time: Jul 30 2017, 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Vancouver, Vanier Park - BMO MainstageCost: $21.00
Find tickets: here
Directed by John Murphy
It’s 1959 in Messina, Italy. On a busy soundstage, Leonato, the head of a film studio, gets word that Don Pedro, the great film director, is on his way. Beatrice, Leonato’s niece and a celebrated actress, inquires if Benedick, the famous actor, is also coming. The two stars are notorious for their ongoing battle of wits.
Don Pedro arrives with Benedick and Claudio, an up-and-coming actor. Beatrice and Benedick, both cynics about love, reignite their war of words. Leonato invites everyone to vacation at his villa, including Don Pedro’s sister, Dona Johnna, a journalist and wannabe filmmaker.
Claudio confesses to Benedick and Don Pedro that he’s in love with Hero, a rising star and Leonato’s daughter. The director offers to help woo her on Claudio’s behalf. That evening at a masquerade party, Don Pedro and Hero have a flirtatious conversation and then talk in private. After a brief misunderstanding that Don Pedro has been wooing Hero for himself, the guests discover he has won Hero’s love for Claudio. Leonato consents to their marriage and a wedding date is set.
Don Pedro believes that Benedict and Beatrice are perfect for each other and conspires to bring them together. He arranges for Benedick to overhear a conversation he has with Leonato and Claudio, in which they invent a story about Beatrice being madly in love with Benedick. Convinced it’s true, Benedick vows to return Beatrice’s affections.
Don Pedro then enlists the help of Hero and Ursula, a production assistant, to pull a similar trick on Beatrice. The two women find a spot where Beatrice can overhear them and gossip about Benedick’s huge crush on her. Beatrice believes them, and promises to love Benedick in return.
Meanwhile, Donna Johnna hatches a plan with Borachio, one of the paparazzi, to destroy Claudio and Hero’s happiness. The night before the couple’s wedding, Borachio persuades Hero’s friend, Margaret, to wear Hero’s clothes and meet him on Hero’s balcony, where he kisses her. Don Pedro and Claudio witness their embrace. Claudio believes Hero has betrayed him and resolves to disgrace her at the altar.
Later that night, Borachio gets drunk and boasts about how he’s tricked Claudio. The film studio’s night watchmen overhear his story and arrest him.
As their wedding ceremony begins, Claudio accuses Hero of being unfaithful and Don Pedro backs him up. Hero faints. After the men storm off, Leonato renounces his daughter. The Friar, who believes Hero is innocent, suggests they pretend she’s died from shock so they will have more time to unearth the truth.
Once alone, Beatrice and Benedick finally profess their love for each other. To prove his devotion, Benedick offers to do anything she asks. Beatrice demands he kill Claudio to avenge Hero’s disgrace.
Friendships are tested, secrets are revealed, but will love conquer all?
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