Much Ado About Nothing

by William Shakespeare
Directed by Franco Zeffirelli
The National Theatre - The Old Vic

First performance 16th February
1965

  • Don Pedro. . . . . . . . . Albert Finney
    Don John. . . . . . . . . . Derek Jacobi
    Claudio. . . . . . . . Ian McKellen
    Benedick. . . . . . . . Robert Stephens
    A Lord. . . . . . . . . Neil Fitzpatrick
    Leonato . . . . . . . . . Gerald James
    Antonio . . . . . . . . . Harry Lomax
    Hero. . . . . . . . . Caroline John
    Beatrice . . . . . . . . . Maggie Smith
    Ursula.. . . . . . . . . Elizabeth Burger
    Margaret . . . . . . . . . Lynn Redgrave
    Conrade. . . . . . . . . Edward Petherbridge
    Borachio. . . . . . . . . Tom Kempinski
    Balthasar. . . . . . . . . Bruce Purchase
    The Messenger. . . . . . . . . Michael Byrne
    Women of Leonato's household:
      Jennie Heslewood
      Pauline Taylor
    The Coffee Boy. . . . . . . . . Alan Ridgway
    Dogberry. . . . . . . . . Frank Finlay
    Verges. . . . . . . . . Michael Rothwell
    The Sexton. . . . . . . . . Reginald Green
    First Watchman. . . . . . . . . Peter John
    Second Watchman. . . . . . . . . Ron Pember
    Other Watchmen:
      David Hargreaves
      Ronald Pickup
      Michael York
    Friar Francis. . . . . . . . . Frank Wylie
    Trumpeter. . . . . . . . . Peter White
    Trombonist. . . . . . . . . Alan Hutt
    Clarinettist. . . . . . . . . John Foley
    Drummer. . . . . . . . . Laurie Morgan
    Guitarist. . . . . . . . . Charles Gregory
    Inanimates:
      Christopher Chittell
      Nicholad Edmett
      Gillian Ferguson
      Kay Gallie
      Roy Holder
      Christopher Timothy









  • The production played in repertoire at the Old Vic as well as touring in the UK (some changes in the cast).

    A screen version of Much Ado About Nothing was made for televison with many of the original cast members and shown in 1967.