Cast update for "Much Ado.." at the National Theatre

Cast update for "Much Ado.." at the National Theatre

Cast update for Much Ado About Nothing, which opens in repertoire at the Olivier, National Theatre on 18 Dec 2007, following previews from 10 Dec - booking to 10 Jan 2008.

Mark Addy (Dogberry), Julian Wadham (Don Pedro), Andrew Woodall (Don John), Daniel Hawksford (Claudio), Trevor Peacock (Verges), Gary Pillai (Friar Francis), Daniel Poyser (Borachio) are to join the previously announced cast of Zoe Wanamaker (Beatrice), Simon Russell Beale (Benedick), Susannah Fielding (Hero), John Burgess (Antonio), Oliver Ford Davies (Leonato), Maggie McCarthy (Ursula)

It is directed by Nicholas Hytner, designed by Vicki Mortimer, with lighting by Mark Henderson.

Promise of a masked ball hastens the men from battle to the festive house of Leonato, where beautiful, wealthy young Hero catches the eye of Claudio, the dashing soldier-boy. Instantly attracted to each other, they rush into marriage. There is no such hurry for seasoned singles Beatrice and Benedick, whose scorn for love and penchant for verbal sparring provoke their scheming friends to plot a happy ending.