MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Actor and playwright Toby Schmitz calls Much Ado About Nothing the original rom-com – it’s high romance and high tragedy with real magic and great gags. He’ll be playing Benedick, with Blazey Best opposite him as Beatrice, in Bell Shakespeare’s third production of Much Ado About Nothing to be directed by John Bell.

Toby Schmitz grew up in Perth, where his bookseller parents sent him to clown school instead of day-care, took him to the theatre often and encouraged his creativity. Schmitz went on to study law at university but it was the arts and stand up comedy that he gravitated towards. At 19 he auditioned for NIDA and was accepted. In the 12 years since he has graduated, Schmitz has worked in an impressive array of theatre, television, film, and has also directed and written for the stage.

Working with John Bell had always been a dream for Schmitz and finally their schedules aligned for this production of Much Ado About Nothing. Schmitz describes working with Bell as absolutely fantastic – “He knows the work so intimately, and has played Benedick himself, but was also completely open to interpretation on set.” A Fellini film set was the template for this production – Italy in the 1960s – a tonal starting point from where the design, set and performance grew. It wouldn’t be Shakespeare without some 180 degree twists and turns and
Benedick’s gift of the gab has him sparring with Beatrice, but we all know they’re destined to fall in love. Director John Bell says: “Each of Shakespeare’s comedies has a unique charm; to my mind Much Ado About Nothing is the most earthy and warm-hearted. Here there are no enchanted forests or amazing coincidences, just the hammer and tongs of gender politics with all their attendant rages and hilarity.”

Apr 8-May 14, Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, $30-75, 9250 7777, sydneyoperahouse.com

GIVEAWAY! We have 5 doubles for Thursday 14 April at 7.30pm up for grabs: email all your details to win@alternativemediagroup.com by COB Tuesday 12 April for your chance to be in the running!