Joss Whedon's Much Ado
suricattus is right; this plot makes more sense when you think of the whole thing being a very drunken weekend party.
There are two very lovely bits of business unique to this version. In no other production have I seen:
1) The Friar being pissed at Leonato. There's a nice little snap of anger while he tells Leo to calm down and try the fake death scheme.
2) Claudio: "I'll hold my mind, were she an Ethiope." Benedict, silently *Oh, fuck no! wince*
There are two very lovely bits of business unique to this version. In no other production have I seen:
1) The Friar being pissed at Leonato. There's a nice little snap of anger while he tells Leo to calm down and try the fake death scheme.
2) Claudio: "I'll hold my mind, were she an Ethiope." Benedict, silently *Oh, fuck no! wince*