Scenes from Shakespeare's comedy Much Ado About Nothing, Staged by TNT Theater. Provied to China Daily

The play involves around two pairs of lovers, Benedick and Beatrice, and Claudio and Hero.

As always, TNT Theater gives the story its own interpretation.

"Much Ado About Nothing defies categorization but at the same time it reveals Shakespeare's genius," says the play's director Paul Stebbings.

"Our approach to the play is to try and explore its extremes, not to flatten it by making its conflicting moods and fast-changing values into one harmonious whole. This is a Baroque masterpiece, not a social documentary or romantic comedy.

"It asks us if all our petty cares and self-deceptions are much ado about very little," he says.

He also points out that the language and scenarios portrayed in the play are far closer to contemporary times than Shakespeare's other comedies.

The play's philosophical musings are expressed in its characters' self-consciousness and reflect current attitudes about the sanctity of love.

TNT Theater first came to China in 2005 with Shakespeare's Macbeth, which it performed in Shanghai. In 2007, the company toured China with Oliver Twist.

Much Ado About Nothing comes to China after touring London and Tokyo.