'Friendship is constant in all other things, save in the office and affairs of love.'

Prepare to get jiggy with it in 2011 with Funk It Up About Nothin': a feisty, urban take on a story as old skool as love itself.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater's cast of international hip hop stars hit the stage in an audacious, hilarious, outrageous hip-hoptation of the Bard's classic comedy Much Ado About Nothing – an acclaimed production that's sure to be a highlight of CarriageWorks' massive annual festival of hip hop culture: Platform Hip Hop Festival.

Created by Chicago's Q Brothers, Funk It Up About Nothin' has been causing an international ruckus since it opened in America in 2008, going on to be a hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, winning awards and turning heads.

Hip hop superstars MC Don Pedro and his crew return from a record breaking hip hop tour and end up hangin' out at the mansion of wealthy Leonato. Don Pedro quickly falls for Leonato's beautiful daughter, Hero – it's love at first sight. MC Benedick and Lady B engage in a battle of wits and swear off love, while the rest of the crew try to convince them otherwise. Meanwhile, Don Pedro's bastard brother Don John schemes to mess with their minds, causing a fuss and funkin' it up!

Complete with live DJ, B*Boys and girls, MC's and divas, Funk It Up About Nothin' is a rom-com street party with bangin' bass, a passionate re-take on a classic tale, a rap-tastic celebration of language and laughter, and an impressive showcase of international hip-hop talent.

As you'd expect, the story does contain some language and adult themes, but not more than any hip hop film clip worth its salt. Whether you're looking for a great night of hip hop or a new way to think about Shakespeare, Funk It Up About Nothin' delivers an intense, high energy story like no other.

CarriageWorks' Platform Hip Hop Festival returns for an awesome, intense and epic four weeks in March 2011, with a massive line up including the best in local hip hop talent, as well as an impressive interstate and international contingent representing all elements of hip hop culture. Platform presents the best hip hop music, dance, street art, photography, film and hip hop theatre, with a particular emphasis on our fresh Australian flavor, punctuated with serious players from the international hip hop stage.

Now in its fourth year, the festival has established itself as an all-encompassing showcase of mind-blowing DJs, MCs, beat boxers, breakers and graffiti artists from all over Sydney and Australia. Crews and audiences in their thousands converge at CarriageWorks and turn this monolithic building into a creative platform for the best emerging and established hip hop artists.

Get crunk with Willy S at Bay 20, CarriageWorks (245 Wilson St, Eveleigh) from 16 - 26 March. Tickets are $25 for Adults, $19.50 for Concession and cheaper if you book in groups. Get them by calling Ticketmaster on 1300 723 038 or by checkin' out the Platform Hip Hop Festival website.