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Julian Wadham on the gulling scene
Don Pedro (Julian Wadham) is keen to get Beatrice and Benedick to fall in love with each other, and devises a plan to help them feel less insecure and defensive about their love; Benedick will be allowed to overhear Don Pedro, Claudio and Leonato say that Beatrice loves him. |
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Nick Hytner on Benedick's gulling scene
Director Nick Hytner recognises Benedick’s gulling scene as one of the most genuinely funny comic scenes in Shakespeare, so he devoted much rehearsal time to trying to keep it funny. The audience need to stay in touch with Benedick’s reactions to what he is hearing. The scene also needs to be kept mobile – for instance, with Benedick moving between different hiding places – so that the scene never becomes boring. |
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Leonato's difficulties with the gulling
Leonato is the least accomplished improviser and practical joker in the gulling scene; he just hasn’t had the practise at it that Don Pedro and Claudio have. He finds the whole thing very difficult, and has to be prompted by Don Pedro and Claudio. |
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Performance footage: 'Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner'
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.
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