The Children of Beatrice and Benedick: From Much Ado to Philadelphia Story

The figures of Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing were unprecedented in English literature before Shakespeare: a man and woman evenly matched in intelligence and spirit, whose mutual affection is tempered by an equally powerful mutual suspicion, anti-romantics who squabble and banter all the way to the altar. While they have no theatrical parents, their progeny, in countless couples across English and American comedy, are everywhere: from Congreve’s The Way of the World to Noel Coward’s Private Lives and Philip Barry’s The Philadelphia Story. Notre Dame Professor and McMeel Family Chair in Shakespeare Studies Peter Holland will lead a hilarious and moving trip through the Shakespearean precedents for, and bountiful children of, these original merry warriors, featuring Tony Award nominees Kathryn Meisle and Derek Smith.

The Kaye Playhouse
68th Street between Lexington and Park
New York, NY 10065










When: Mon., Apr. 17, 2017 at 7:00 pm
Where: The Shakespeare Society
Locations vary
212-967-6802
Price: $35
Buy tickets/get more info now
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The figures of Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing were unprecedented in English literature before Shakespeare: a man and woman evenly matched in intelligence and spirit, whose mutual affection is tempered by an equally powerful mutual suspicion, anti-romantics who squabble and banter all the way to the altar. While they have no theatrical parents, their progeny, in countless couples across English and American comedy, are everywhere: from Congreve’s The Way of the World to Noel Coward’s Private Lives and Philip Barry’s The Philadelphia Story. Notre Dame Professor and McMeel Family Chair in Shakespeare Studies Peter Holland will lead a hilarious and moving trip through the Shakespearean precedents for, and bountiful children of, these original merry warriors, featuring Tony Award nominees Kathryn Meisle and Derek Smith.

The Kaye Playhouse
68th Street between Lexington and Park
New York, NY 10065
Buy tickets/get more info now