Name: Much Ado About Nothing
Start: 2026-05-31T14:30:00+01:00
Location: Bolton Gate Arts

Lucid Spark Present:
Much Ado About Nothing
By William Shakespeare
Saturday 20th June | 2.30pm
'Pay-what-you-decide' ticket scheme*: £20 Supporter | £15 Standard | £10 Subsidised
Running time (approx): 1 hour 50 minutes (inc. interval)
Suitable for: All Ages
Location: The Manège Outdoor Arts Space, Bolton Gate Farm
Gates Open: 1.30pm

Sunshine, secrets, slow burn and questionable decisions...

This summer, Lucid Spark invites you into Messina, but not as you may know it! Following a sell-out outdoor season last year, and a growing reputation for inventive, site-specific theatre, this show marks Lucid Spark’s first mini tour, opening at our woodland home before travelling to venues including Bolton Gate Arts and The Foxlowe.

Our fast-paced, high energy, joyfully chaotic reimagining of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing transforms the classic comedy into a sun-soaked villa of love, gossip and games.
Bea and Benedick are sworn singletons locked in a war of words, while Hero and Claudia fall fast. Don John is stirring the pot and the whole villa is one bad decision away from chaos. As ever with Lucid Spark, the audience aren’t just watching, you are guests inside the world. With a small ensemble of actor-musicians playing multiple roles, live acoustic music throughout and a bold, playful aesthetic inspired by long hot summers and reality TV drama, Much Ado About Nothing is Shakespeare at his most mischievous, modern and gloriously messy.

Part Shakespeare, part reality TV, part late-night party you probably shouldn’t have gone to... but did anyway. Set in an outdoor villa atmosphere and staged immersively around the audience, this brand new production throws together razor-sharp wit, pop party vibes, live music and Lucid Spark’s signature close-up storytelling.

It’s flirty. It’s feral. It’s Shakespeare as you’ve never seen it before. Pack a blanket, bring your mates and get ready for the messiest love story of the year.