Northern Broadsides & New Vic Theatre To Stage MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Featuring Reece Dinsdale

Northern Broadsides will once again join forces with the award-winning New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme and warm the hearts of theatregoers this Spring when they stage William Shakespeare's glorious tale of antagonistic romance and chaotic comedy - Much Ado About Nothing.

Featuring Reece Dinsdale (This House, The National Theatre and The Absence of War, Headlong Theatre Company) in the role of Benedick and directed by Northern Broadsides' Artistic Director Conrad Nelson, Much Ado About Nothing will open at the New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme from 8 February - 2 March and then tour until 25 May.

Six long years of war are finally over. Returning soldiers swap the booming battlefield for a landscape of love, masked balls and much-needed laughter. Two young dreamers (Hero and Claudio) fall head over heels, while two others (Benedick and Beatrice) resume their combative courtship.

As faithful friends plot romance and a vengeful brother plans destruction, can true love conquer all, or will whispers and rumour win out? Told in true Northern Broadsides style and set at the end of World War II, this production of Shakespeare's glorious romantic comedy, which was last performed by the company in 2000, is sure to capture your hearts this Spring!

Director Conrad Nelson said:

"27 years ago, I was offered a job with Kenneth Branagh's Renaissance Theatre Company. At the end of run I was thrilled to be asked to play Hugh Oatcake in his joyous film version of Much Ado. You won't find the part high on the list of Dramatis Persona, in fact you may not find it all, but I was there on location for 8 weeks in the glorious Tuscan sunshine. It was the place to fall in love and a perfect setting for Shakespeare's romantic comedy.

In 2000 I played Benedick opposite my future wife, Deborah McAndrew for Northern Broadsides - the last time the company performed the play. The hills of Tuscany gave way to the mill rooms and settings of the industrial North, but I still fell in love again. The play's the thing... I know a little bit more about love now and a little bit more about drama and it is a privilege to bring this feel good masterpiece to life again. Thank you Mr Branagh for that wonderful summer."

Playing the role of Benedick will be Reece Dinsdale who has performed extensively in theatres across the country. Most recently he played Walter Harrison in This House at The National Theatre, George Jones in The Absence of War for Headlong Theatre Company and the title roles in Richard III and The Master Builder at Leeds Playhouse. He won a Yorkshire Award for his contribution to Arts and Entertainment after playing Alan Bennett in Untold Stories (also Leeds Playhouse). Dinsdale won the Special Jury Prize at the Geneva Film Festival for his portrayal of John Brandon in the feature film I.D. and played Guildenstern (to Tim Spall's Rosencrantz) in Kenneth Branagh's highly acclaimed feature film Hamlet. As well as his stage and big screen performances, Reece has also starred in many high-profile TV dramas ranging from leading roles in the BAFTA award winning Threads and Jim Henson's Storyteller, through Spooks, Life on Mars, to Joe McIntyre in Coronation Street and the hugely popular comedy series Home to Roost opposite the late John Thaw. Further casting will be announced in the coming weeks.

Co-producing with Staffordshire's New Vic Theatre, the production's fine creative team includes Lis Evans (An August Bank Holiday Lark) with lighting by Daniella Beattie, and musical direction by Rebekah Hughes. Regulars at the New Vic Theatre, this will be Northern Broadsides tenth co-production with the venue. Previous co-productions have included The Tempest (2007), The Canterbury Tales (2010), Love's Labour's Lost (2012), the award-winning An August Bank Holiday Lark (2014), The Merry Wives (2016) and Cyrano (2017).

Much Ado About Nothing will open at the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme from 8 February - 2 March and will then tour to The Dukes Lancaster (5-9 March); Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough (12-16 March); Salisbury Playhouse (19-23 March); Derby Theatre (26-30 March); Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds (2-6 April); Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield (16-20 Apr), Viaduct Theatre, Halifax (25 Apr-4 May), The Lowry Salford (7-11 May); York Theatre Royal (14-18 May) and Harrogate Theatre (21-25 May).

For more information visit www.northern-broadsides.co.uk and www.newvictheatre.org.uk

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