After a period of war, Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, has successfully concluded a peace with his bastard brother, Don John. Arriving at the house of Leonato in Messina, Don Pedro and his retinue turn their thoughts from war to love, and a happy match is foreseen between Claudio, one of Don Pedro’s men, and Hero, Leonato’s daughter.

One couple who certainly don’t seem to be getting on are the endlessly bantering Benedict and Beatrice who exchange insults like candy as they try to win their war of wits. But Don Pedro has plans for them too…

However, while all this this malarkying is going on, Don John has rather more nefarious intentions…