In Brief

Following a victory in the wars, Don Pedro and his men visit the estate of Leonato and Antonia. Newly-promoted captain

Claudio reveals he is in love with their daughter Hero, and at a masked ball the two become engaged.

To help pass the time until the wedding, Don Pedro and the others hatch a plan to trick their friends (and outspoken disparagers of love) Beatrice and Benedick into falling in love with each other.

A second, more sinister, plot is also underway. Donna Joanna - Don Pedro‘s sister - decides to sabotage the wedding

by tricking Claudio into thinking Hero has been unfaithful. The household staff overhear Donna Joanna’s comrades discussing how they have fooled Claudio and arrest them, but are too late to stop Claudio refusing to marry Hero, telling everyone at the wedding she has slept with someone else.

Hero and her family decide to pretend she has died of shame, hoping this will cause Claudio to regret his actions. Beatrice and Benedick declare their love, and she persuades him to challenge Claudio to a duel to prove his love for her.

On hearing the confession of the villains, Claudio is filled with remorse and agrees to marry Hero’s cousin. At this wedding it is revealed the cousin is Hero herself, and she forgives Claudio. Both couples – Claudio & Hero and Beatrice & Benedick – get married.

Act 1

At the home of Leonato and Antonia, the household receive news that the prince, Don Pedro, and his fellow soldiers are returning from the war and will be visiting them. Hero, the daughter of Leonato and Antonia, seems particularly excited for the arrival of newly promoted captain Claudio, while her cousin Beatrice seems more interested in insulting Benedick, another soldier. The men arrive, bringing with them Don Pedro‘s sister, Donna Joanna, with whom he has recently reconciled. Leonato welcomes them all, and they decide to stay there for at least a month.

Claudio confides in Benedick that he is in love with Hero, but Benedick dismisses the idea of getting married. Don Pedro, however, is supportive and agrees to flirt with Hero on Claudio’s behalf.

Leonato and Antonia have heard the rumour that Claudio will propose to Hero and encourage her to accept. Meanwhile, Donna Joanna speaks with her advisor Conrade who chastises her for being too openly hostile to her brother, but she claims it is in her nature to behave that way. They are joined by Borachio who tells them about Claudio’s desire to marry Hero, and the three of them decide to sabotage the wedding.

Act 2

Leonato hosts a masked ball for his guests, where Beatrice explains how she could never settle down and get married. Don Pedro, disguised by his mask, flirts with Hero and Borachio flirts with Margaret. Meanwhile, Beatrice and

Benedick continue their war of words. Donna Joanna and Conrade pretend they think Claudio is Benedick and lie to him, claiming Don Pedro loves Hero and is proposing to her for himself. Believing them, Claudio storms off.

Beatrice brings Claudio to Don Pedro, who explains he only spoke with Hero to ask her to marry Claudio. She had agreed to this and the wedding date is set for one week away. Don Pedro asks Beatrice if she would marry him but she politely turns him down and leaves.

To pass the time until the wedding, the group plot to trick Beatrice and Benedick into falling in love with one another.

Meanwhile, a more sinister plot is put in place: Borachio will sleep with Margaret the night before the wedding, and Donna Joanna will ensure Claudio and Don Pedro see this. She’ll tell them Margaret is Hero to make Claudio believe Hero is unfaithful.

Several days later, the men discuss Beatrice loving Benedick where they know he will overhear them, and he realises he is in love with her.

Act 3

The women likewise ensure Beatrice overhears them saying Benedick loves her, and she in turn realises she has been in love with him the whole time.

The evening before the wedding, Leonato’s bumbling party planners, Dogberry and Verges, meet with their staff to ensure the wedding preparations are in order. They select Seacole and Oatcake, two of their staff, to act as security for the evening. After some confusing instructions, they take up their watch over the house.

Elsewhere in the house, Claudio and Don Pedro realise Benedick has fallen for Beatrice and tease him until he departs to speak with Leonato. They are then met by Donna Joanna who lies to them, claiming she can take them to see proof of Hero being with another man. They agree to go and see the proof and also agree to publicly shame Hero at the wedding if they believe what they see.

A few hours later, Borachio drunkenly speaks to Conrade to tell him the plan has worked: Donna Joanna did show Borachio seducing Margaret to Don Pedro and Claudio, and they did think Margaret was Hero. Seacole and Oatcake overhear this and arrest the two of them, agreeing to take them to Dogberry for further interrogation.

The morning of the wedding, Hero meets with her friends and mother to get ready and take the opportunity to tease Beatrice about Benedick.

Dogberry and Verges flag down Leonato on his way to the wedding and try to tell him about Donna Joanna’s plot, but he doesn’t understand and brushes them off.

Act 4

The wedding guests assemble, and the ceremony begins. Instead of his vows, Claudio publicly shames Hero and accuses her of being unfaithful. She denies this, but Don Pedro and Donna Joanna back Claudio’s accusations and leave, causing Hero to faint.

As she comes to, Leonato berates her, wishing she had died rather than brought shame on the family. Hero defends herself, claiming there is some mistake. The Friar believes her, as does Benedick who immediately suspects Donna Joanna is to blame. It is decided they will pretend Hero has died from shame, hoping this will cause Claudio to repent his accusations and give them time to prove her innocence.

Beatrice and Benedick are left alone, surrounded by the remnants of the abandoned wedding, and finally confess their love to one another. Beatrice asks Benedick to kill Claudio as revenge for his shaming of Hero. While he is reluctant, seeing how hurt Beatrice is he agrees to challenge Claudio to a duel.

Dogberry and Verges bring Conrade and Borachio in front of the police inspector. While they initially deny any wrongdoing, when the Inspector tells them Hero has died and Donna Joanna has fled the city, they become remorseful.

Act 5

Leonato and Antonia confront Don Pedro and Claudio, telling them Hero has died and that the accusations against her were false. Antonia berates them for their behaviour but they dismiss her until she and Leonato leave.

Benedick arrives to issue his challenge to Claudio and tell Don Pedro they can no longer remain friends. While initially they think he is joking, they realise he is in earnest as he tells them about Donna Joanna fleeing the city.

Dogberry and Verges arrive with Borachio and Conrade, who confess to the whole plot. Leonato and Antonia return to chastise the prisoners, while Don Pedro and Claudio are appalled at what they have done to Hero. Leonato agreed to forgive them, as long as Claudio visits Hero’s tomb to honour her and consents to marry one of her cousins. Claudio agrees.

Beatrice and Benedick share a tender moment together, before being interrupted by Ursula bringing news of Borachio’s confession and the proof of Hero’s innocence.

Claudio visits Hero’s tomb and fulfills his promise to apologise to her for his behaviour.

The next day, everyone assembled for the second wedding. When Claudio agrees to the marriage, the bride removes her veil and reveals she is in fact Hero, only having pretended to be dead for as long as the lies about her were believed. Hero and Claudia are married.

Benedick proposes to Beatrice in front of everyone, but she claims not to love him. Their friends intervene, showing love letters from both of them proving they are indeed in love. The two acknowledge their feelings and agree to marry.

A messenger arrives with news that Donna Joanna has been captured, but they all decide to deal with her tomorrow and stay to enjoy the wedding celebrations together.