Benedick and Beatrice are arguably the greatest couple ever invented by William Shakespeare. Beatrice is definitely my favourite Shakespearian character (not least because we share a name). As I have seen several adaptions (movies as well as plays) of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ I decided to tell you about the people I have seen act Benedick and Beatrice.
Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones acted Beatrice and Benedick in Mark Rylance’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ at The Old Vic last autumn. This show portrayed the pair as elderly. Although this was interesting, I found that it lacked the spirit and sparkle that Benedick and Beatrice should possess.
In the Royal Shakespeare Company’s current production of ‘Love’s Labour’s Won’ (see below), directed by Christopher Luscombe, the actors Michelle Terry and Edward Bennett starred as the feisty twosome. Instead of clever words, this play used the method of slapstick to make the audience laugh. I admit, I did giggle when Benedick was electrocuted by the Christmas lights, but, again, this play did not show the couple quite as they should be. Instead, they seemed a bit clumsy.
In Kenneth Branagh’s 1993 film adaption, Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh acted the pair. In my opinion, this was perfect casting. Thompson and Branagh captured the duo’s caustic wit with flair. I’ve since learnt that the actor and actress were married at the time so perhaps they didn’t need to pretend to be in love. These two are my favourite Benedick and Beatrice (so far).
POSTSCRIPT: Here is my favourite of Benedick and Beatrice’s arguments:
Benedick: What, my dear Lady Disdain! are you yet living?
Beatrice: Is it possible that disdain should die, while she hath such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick? Courtesy itself must convert to disdain, if you come in her presence.
Benedick: Then courtesy is a turncoat. But it is certain that I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted; and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart, for, truly I love none.
Beatrice: A dear happiness to women, they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that; I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear that he loves me.
Benedick: God keep your ladyship still in that mind, so some gentlemen or other shall ‘scape a predestinate scratched face.
Beatrice: Scratching could not make it worse, and ’twere such a face as yours were.
[Act 1, Scene 1)
Swish of the Curtain 
This is great!