Much Ado About Nothing

“A charming and laugh-out-loud adventure…” The Vancouver Arts Review

by William Shakespeare
additional text by Erin Shields
Bard on the Beach, 2025

Directed by Johnna Wright
Set Design: Pam Johnson
Costume Design: Mara Gottler
Lighting: Sophie Tang
Sound: Mishelle Cuttler
Dance and Fight Choreography: Jonathan Hawley Purvis
Apprentice Director: Isaac Stuber Li
Intimacy Director: Lisa Goebel
Stage Management: Geoff Jones, Yvonne Yip, Caroline Tang

CAST: Jennifer Lines, Sheldon Elter, Scott Bellis, Jennifer Clement, Steffanie Davis, Paige Fraser, Kristi Hansen, Matthew Ip Shaw, Karthik Kadam, Sebastian Kroon, Jacob Leonard, David Marr, Agnes Tong, Jennifer Tong, Angus Yam, Tanner Zerr

photos by Tim Matheson

“This reimagined classic blends love, lies, and laugh-out-loud moments…” Mary in Vancity

“A delightfully breezy Much Ado About Nothing opens this year’s Bard on the Beach season.” Review Vancouver

“With modernized touches and strong performances, this adaptation renews the wit and scheming of Shakespeare’s classic comedy.” Create a Stir

“This staging, directed by Johnna Wright, leans into all that warmth and ease but also knows when to let the air shift.” Create a Stir

“Director Johnna Wright has added more female parts by giving male roles to female actors…. But she has gone farther by combining Leonato’s brother and Ursula to create an entirely new character with all the force of a much-loved elderly aunt.” Review Vancouver

“This year, [Bard] offers two excellent productions: Much Ado About Nothing and Two Gentlemen of Verona – both examples of the high standards we have come to expect of Bard on the Beach.” The BC Catholic

“[Erin Shields] has written … a scene in which Hero compels Claudio to own what he has done and how he must understand their future. Only then can a modern audience accept Claudio as a proper husband for Hero. Bravo.” Review Vancouver

“Johnna Wright’s direction, paired with Erin Shields’ added text, gives the show a bit more edge…. It’s smart, thoughtful, and still funny. Not easy to pull off, but it works.” Mary in Vancity

“Much Ado indeed, but not about ‘’nothing’.” The Vancouver Arts Review