Much Ado About Nothing is this year’s opening play of the Titchfield Festival Theatre Bard at the Barn summer season, performing from 30 May to 8 June. The play is a favourite of many – and to give it a particular twist, this TFT version has been given a World War Two theme.

It's Rest and Recuperation time for General Peters and his entourage including the Soviet Commissar Ivan Ilyich after a hard fought war. Where best to spend it but at the Hotel Messina in Sicily, owned by his good friend Signior Leonato. Italian Partisan Count Claudio is in love with Leonato's daughter Hero. But can Claudio and General Peters get their British liaison officer Captain Benedick to fall in love with Leonato's sharp-witted niece, Beatrice? It’s a tough task indeed, considering their ‘history’, but all is not well as the meddling Commissar Ivan plots to ruin the love matches.

Kevin Fraser, TFT’s Chair and Artistic Director is directing Much Ado About Nothing:

“Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays and this year is on the school curriculum. We decided to give it a theme based around the Second World War to fit in with current news events. I love the play too; I have directed it several times previously as well as having appeared in productions in both this country and Spain. It’s such a great story, is easy to follow and it has a joyous ending. We’re also fortunate to have such a superb cast!



“The Bard at the Barn summer festival is one of the highlights of the TFT year. So why not join us, have a picnic in the grounds of the beautiful Great Barn, grab a glass of wine and be entertained in the fabulous historic setting linked with the Bard himself?”

Much Ado About Nothing performs from 30 May to 8 June 2023. There will be a matinée performance on Sunday 4 June at 2.30pm. For more information including booking tickets please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/ or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.

You can also watch this promotional video here.