Simon Russell Beale (Benedick) and Zoë Wanamaker (Beatrice) talk us through their relationship; this is a ‘merry war’ which also has its darker aspects arising out of the back story which Simon and Zoe have created for them.

Simon Russell Beale (who plays Benedick) discusses the sadder, more pained aspect of his character. He also thinks that Benedick has probably been with a lot of women in the past but that, as a soldier, the previous women in his life were probably prostitutes rather than women with whom he had an intellectual relationship like he has with Beatrice. Simon also thinks Benedick was probably quite a successful soldier.

Zoë Wanamaker thinks that Beatrice has given herself the role of joker within Leonato’s house. As the oldest woman in Leonato’s house, she also thinks Beatrice will have taken on duties around the running of the household.

Zoë Wanamaker talks about Beatrice’s desire to be more masculine, and her inner unhappiness.

Zoë Wanamaker explains how the principal attraction between Beatrice and Benedick is one of cleverness and wit.

Simon Russell Beale talks us through the wedding scene from Benedick’s point of view. He explains how Claudio’s denouncement of Hero is a turning point for Benedick, which prompts him to side with the women in the play for the first time. It’s also the point in the play when Benedick confesses his love for Beatrice, and when Beatrice asks Benedick to kill Claudio.

At the end of Benedick’s gulling scene, Beatrice arrives to tell him it’s time for supper. He’s so excited by the prospect of Beatrice being in love with him, that he reads all kinds of extra meanings into what she says.

Benedick (Simon Russell Beale) and Beatrice (Zoë Wanamaker) confess their love for each other. But their love is quickly put to the test when Beatrice asks Benedick to take revenge on Claudio, who has just publicly shamed Beatrice’s close friend Hero.

Now that Claudio is happily married to Claudio, it is time for the story of Beatrice and Benedick’s complicated romance to come to a conclusion.

 
 
 
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