Much ado in hip hop style

By Nicole Williams
UNITED States Hip Hop sensations The Q Brothers will be hitting Dandenong next month, for their only Victorian show.
Their show, Funk It Up About Nothin’ is their take on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, performed using hip hop and rap.
“We’re really excited to bring the show to a new audience,” co-creator and director JQ said.
“Hopefully, the people who like hip hop will love it and learn to like Shakespeare and the people who like Shakespeare will appreciate hip hop.” Funk It Up About Nothin’ tells the story of MC Don Pedro and his hip-hop crew who are chilling at the mansion of Leonato when MC Claudio and Leonato’s daughter Hero fall in love at first sight.
But Don John decides to ‘funk it all up’.
The show is entirely in rhyme with six actors playing multiple characters, along with a live DJ. The Q Brothers and the rest of the cast can’t wait for the Australian tour, which will tour New South Wales before finishing in Dandenong.
It will be the first time in Australia for all members of the crew.
“We’re really excited, we’ve been told so many things about Australia,” JQ said.
“We’ve been told the audiences have a cool sense of humour, so I think they’re really going to enjoy it.” The Q Brothers have had success with the show in Chicago, New York and even took it to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it won the Dress Circle Award for Best Musical.
Funk It Up About Nothin’ will show at the Drum Theatre, Tuesday 29 March to Saturday 2 April.
For tickets contact the theatre on 9771 6666 or visit www.drumtheatre.com.au.