No longer booking
  • Venue National Theatre - Lyttelton Theatre, London
  • Performance dates Booking to 10 September 2022
  • Running time 2 hours 30 minutes (including interval)
  • Age guidelines 14+ This production contains minor intimations of violence.

Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy of new beginnings

Escape to the Italian Riviera with a cast including Katherine Parkinson (Home, I’m Darling, The IT Crowd), John Heffernan (Dracula, She Stoops to Conquer) and a live swing band. Simon Godwin (Twelfth Night, Antony and Cleopatra) directs William Shakespeare’s battle of the wits.

Much Ado About Nothing runs until 10 September 2022 in the Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre London.

Since the 1930s, the legendary family-run Hotel Messina has been visited by artists, celebrities and royalty.

When the current owner’s daughter falls for a dashing young soldier, the hallways are ringing with the sound of wedding bells.

However, not all the guests are in the mood for love, and a string of deceptions soon surround not only the young couple, but also the steadfastly single Beatrice and Benedick.

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Performance Information

Check booking calendar for full details

Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of Much Ado About Nothing - National Theatre?

Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd, Humans) and John Heffernan (Dickensian, The Crown, Becoming Elizabeth) star as Beatrice and Benedick.

Celeste Dodwell, Eben Figueiredo, Olivia Forrest, David Fynn, Ashley Gillard, Brandon Grace, Nick Harris, Phoebe Horn, David Judge, Kiren Kebaili-Dwyer, Ioanna Kimbook, Wendy Kweh, Marcia Lecky, Ewan Miller, Mateo Oxley, Katherine Parkinson, Rufus Wright and Ashley Zhangazha complete the cast.

Who are the creative team of Much Ado About Nothing - National Theatre?

Directed by Simon Godwin with set design by Anna Fleischle, costume design by Evie Gurney, lighting design by Lucy Carter, movement direction by Coral Messam, sound design by Christopher Shutt, music composed by Michael Bruce, fight direction by Kate Waters, music direction by Dario Rossetti-Bonell.

Important Notes

Access Performances

Captioned performance
Thursday 1 September at 7.30pm

Audio-described performances
Saturday 10 August at 2.15pm with a Touch Tour at 12.45pm
Saturday 27 August at 2.15pm with a Touch Tour at 12.45pm

Relaxed Environment performance
Monday 22 August at 7.30pm

Venue Information

National Theatre - Lyttelton Theatre , Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PX

Nearest Tube or Train: Waterloo (Jubilee line, Northern line, Bakerloo line)

Nearest Buses: 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, X68, RV1

Directions

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Critics' reviews of Much Ado About Nothing - National Theatre

★★★★ "Crucially, it’s a hoot" - Time Out

★★★★ "An exercise in unabashed slapstick." - The Times

★★★★ "The emotional heft of an earthquake" -The Telegraph

Also see: Much Ado About Nothing - National Theatre Reviews Round-up

Frequently Asked Questions

Much Ado About Nothing - National Theatre is playing at the National Theatre - Lyttelton Theatre in London
The running time of Much Ado About Nothing - National Theatre is 2 hours 30 minutes (including interval)
The age recommendations for Much Ado About Nothing - National Theatre are: 14+ This production contains minor intimations of violence.
Yes, Much Ado About Nothing - National Theatre has matinee performances on the following days: Wednesday, Saturday
No, sorry, Much Ado About Nothing - National Theatre has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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