Cast: Royal Exchange's Much Ado About Nothing

The Royal Exchange's next production – Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing has been cast with Gerard Kearns in the role of Claudio. Last seen at the venue in The Accrington Pals, he is perhaps best known for his role as Ian Gallagher in Shameless.

Director Maria Aberg makes her Royal Exchange debut, following successes with As You Like It and King John at the RSC. She says of the show ‘For a play as joyous as this – in which community and celebration is so important – the Royal Exchange may well be the perfect theatre. Audiences can expect joy, belly laughs and hopefully the odd teary eye. A surprising and heartfelt evening about the rough and irresistible magic of falling in love.’

The cast also includes Paul Ready who makes his Royal Exchange debut as Benedick, his theatre appearances include In the Republic of Happiness, Wastwater and Forty Winks (Royal Court). Ellie Piercey plays Beatrice and is also a Royal Exchange newcomer, her theatre work includes Alls Well That Ends Well, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare's Globe). The cast also includes Beverly Rudd (Trollied, Sky TV) and Milo Twomey whose numerous Royal Exchange appearance include Blithe Spirit and The Chidren's Hour.

Jason Baughan, Marty Cruickshank, Danny Dalton, Sandy Foster, Becci Gemmell, David Judge, Geoff Leesley, Sophia Nomvete, James Pearse also star.

The piece is a play of parallel love stories – the young impetuous Claudio and Hero fall in love immediately and start planning their wedding in just seven days’ time. The wiser Beatrice and Benedick wage a witty war of words, doing all in their power to resist love. Set in a celebratory post-war world, where men and women are renegotiating new rules between the sexes, the action culminates in a joyful celebration of love.

Much Ado About Nothing is at the Royal Exchange, Manchester from 27 March – 3 May.