Much Ado About Nothing: Johnston Forbes-Robertson's painting: Lyceum Theatre, London, 1882.

Irving's production has Ellen Terry as Beatrice (second from left) Forbes- Robertson as Claudio (right of center), and Irving as Benedick (second man on his right). The vast scale of this church scene (4.1) is very apparent. This exact scene is praised in the following account:

“This evening Shakespeare’s comedy, ‘Much Ado About Nothing,’ was produced at the Lyceum Theatre before a brilliant audience. The scenery and costumes were of the most gorgeous description, the climax of the play being reached in the fourth act, in which the church scene, with an altar-piece and the complete accessories of a Catholic cathedral, was a marvel of realistic scenic effect. Mr. Irving achieved a genuine success as Benedict, but to Miss Ellen Terry as Beatrice the greater meed of praise was accorded. Mr. Forbes Robertson was much applauded for his finished rendering of the part of Claudio, and other parts were well sustained.” London Correspondence , Freeman’s Journal, Dublin, Oct. 12, 1882. Courtesy of 19th C. British Library Newspapers. Image courtesy of the Hampden-Booth Library, New York.