Desmond Barrit to direct Bard comedy at Sheringham

Acclaimed stage and screen actor Desmond Barrit returns to Sheringham Little Theatre on February 9, to direct Shakespeare's comedy Much Ado About Nothing.

A tale of love, honour and second chances, the play has been specially adapted for students and young people studying Shakespeare. It stars Little Theatre regulars Simon Stanhope and Martha Swann as reluctant soulmates Beatrice and Benedick, who are tricked by their friends Hero and Claudio (Holly Walters and Brett Lee Roberts) into confessing their love for each other.

Desmond, who has been patron of the Little Theatre since he wrote, directed and starred in the venue's first professional pantomime in 2002, is an associate artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

As well as appearing in RSC productions ranging from Twelfth Night and Comedy of Errors, to The Tempest and King Lear, he has starred in London's West End - in Alan Bennett's the History Boys and the hit musical Wicked! - performed with Glyndebourne Festival Opera, appeared on Broadway, in TV shows from Midsomer Murders to Poirot, and in films ranging from the crime caper Lassiter, to the 1992 comedy Rebecca's Daughters, in which he appeared alongside Peter O'Toole and Joely Richardson.

Much Ado About Nothing, which is being staged as part of the Little Theatre's 'Early Rep' season, follows Desmond's success directing summer repertory plays at Sheringham including Shirley Valentine, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, and the sell-out musical Dames at Sea.

Schools performances will be held throughout the play's four-day run, with actors also running workshops for children and young people.

Much Ado About Nothing runs at Sheringham Little Theatre from February 9-13 at 7.30pm (matinee Saturday, February 13 at 2.30pm). Tickets, priced �11 Tuesday-Friday and �12 Saturday (concessions available for under 18s and families), are available from the box office on 01263 822347.

For more information, visit www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com