No holds bard

A National Theatre Live production of Shakespeare’s timeless comedy, “Much Ado About Nothing” will light up the big screen at the Newport Performing Arts Center this Friday, April 28.

Written in the 16th Century, “Much Ado About Nothing” is one of Shakespeare’s most engaging and irresistible comedies.

This new production takes place on the Italian Riviera, where the legendary family-run “Hotel Messina” has been visited by artists, celebrities and royalty. But when the owner’s daughter weds a dashing young soldier, not all guests are in the mood for love. A string of scandalous deceptions soon surround not only the young couple, but also the adamantly single Beatrice and Benedick.

Katherine Parkinson (“The IT Crowd,” “The Kennedys”) and John Heffernan (“Dracula,” “The Crown”) lead the cast in Shakespeare’s romcom of sun, sea and mistaken identity.

The incomparable Simon Godwin directs, following the award-winning success of National Theatre Live’s “Romeo and Juliet,” “Twelfth Night” and “Antony and Cleopatra.”

Bringing the best of British theater to cinema screens around the world, each broadcast is filmed in front of a live audience using state-of-the-art filming techniques.

Friday’s screening begins at 7 pm in the Alice Silverman Theatre. Tickets are $15 to $20. The Newport Performing Arts Center is located at 777 W Olive Street. For more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-2787.