Zoë describes the 'joy' of performing Much Ado About Nothing in Glyndebourne interview

29 July 2016 17:50

Zoë offers insight into playing Much Ado About Nothing's Beatrice in a Glyndebourne Festival podcast that compares Shakespeare's play with the opera it inspired, Béatrice et Bénédict, by Berlioz. The latter is being performed at the East Sussex festival until late August.

In the podcast, presenter Katie Derham points out that 'Beatrice's independent spirit appeals to Zoë', who starred alongside Simon Russell Beale in the National Theatre's acclaimed 2007 production (the video below includes clips of their performances).

'She wants a sophisticated relationship rather than a ''pretty'' one,' remarks Zoë, suggesting that Beatrice needs to be able to demonstrate her intellect and wit in her personal life.

Beatrice's witty war of words with her old sparring partner, Benedick, enables actors – and audience members – to revel in what Zoë calls 'the enjoyment of two opposites or seeming opposites'.

She adds that everyone she's spoken to about performing Much Ado About Nothing has said the play, which ends happily for its two central characters, gave them 'a feeling of joy'.

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