Parham House offers a magical setting for an outstanding night of Shakespeare

Following its storming tour success last year, Shakespeare’s Globe is touring again this summer with a new production of Much Ado About Nothing.
Much Ado About NothingMuch Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing

Written in 1598 by William Shakespeare, this play was exceedingly popular in its early years and known as one of Shakespeare’s liveliest comedies.

Kenneth Branagh & Emma Thompson played Beatrice and Benedick in the 1993 film directed by Brannagh.

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This small-scale production began its tour on April 11 and is performing at Parham House on the May 27 and 28.

The tour finishes at the Kilkenny Arts Festival in Ireland on the August 17.

Directed by Max Webster in his debut for the Globe, the title roles will be played by Globe regular Emma Pallant, (Beatrice), Simon Bubb (Benedick) and Sam Phillips (Claudio).

Using an Elizabethan-style booth stage – inspired by paintings and etchings from Shakespeare’s time, when touring was prevalent – eight actors will visit the beautiful and inspiring setting of Parham House with this scaled-down production.

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The audience and stage will be on the South Lawn with Parham House, one of the country’s finest Elizabethan houses, in front of them and the South Downs and new National Park behind them. It’s a magical setting for a memorable evening of world class theatre.

Claudio loves Hero and Hero Claudio and nothing seems capable of keeping them apart. Claudio’s friend Benedick loves Beatrice and Beatrice Benedick, but (because neither will admit it) nothing seems capable of bringing them together. Only the intrigues of a resentful prince force Benedick to prove his love for Beatrice – by killing his best friend.

Driven along by a romance all the more charming for being in denial, Much Ado About Nothing is a miracle of comic and dramatic suspense and gives us, in the bantering of Beatrice and Benedick, two of Shakespeare’s wittiest, most endearing pair of lovers.

Max Webster’s directing credits include Twelfth Night for Regents Park Open Air Theatre, Orlando and To Kill A Mocking Bird at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester and My Generation for the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Much Ado About Nothing will be his Globe debut.

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Emma Pallant has performed at The Globe as Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, 2013 and as Jaques in As You Like It, 2012. Simon Bubb was last seen in the National Theatre’s tour of People, 2013 and the Old Vic’s tour of Noises Off, 2013. Sam Phillips recently appeared in BBC drama in The Flesh, 2014, Doctors, 2013 and Larisa and the Merchant, 203 at the Arcola Theatre.

Pre-performance three course light suppers will be available in Parham’s Big Kitchen between 6pm and 7pm and must be pre-booked.

To book, contact Parham directly on 01903 742021 or email [email protected].

Parham three-course light supper menu:

£19.55 with coffee or £21.05 if Hot Pie is chosen.

Starter: Homemade Soup of the Day served with a bread roll and butter.

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Main: Homemade Coronation Chicken served with three salads or Homemade Vegetarian Quiche of the day served with three salads or Chicken Ham and Leek Pie served with Jacket Potato and Seasonal Vegetables (£1.50 supplement).

Dessert: Parham Fruit and Almond Frangipane Tart served with cream, followed by coffee.

Whenever possible the venue will use fruit and vegetables from the gardens.

For Group bookings you will be asked to confirm numbers for each main course option in advance.

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Tickets are available from Shakespeare’s Globe Box Office on 020 7401 9919 and on the gate at Parham on the evening.

Adult tickets cost £17.50, Concessions are £12.

Visit www.shakepearesglobe.com or www.parhaminsussex.co.uk.