Bell Shakespeare
Season 2016
Shakespeare’s work explores human experience at its limits. It was never just meant to be read. We believe the only way to truly appreciate his work is to see it brought to life through live performance. We believe Shakespeare and other great works are not stuck in the past, but that they are the key to exploring our present and imagining our future. We value the beauty of Shakespeare’s ideas, language and imagery. His work becomes our lens, helping us find modern perspectives on timeless truths. These plays are not static. They’re constantly adapting, helping us make sense of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. And we’re not static either. We’ve been travelling the country for 25 years, bringing classic theatre to Australia, looking for new ways to educate, collaborate and recreate. Shakespeare and the other classic plays we present challenge our beliefs and urge us to see ourselves in a new light. Their ability to discover the things that make us human inspires us to make work that challenges preconceptions and encourages new interpretations and contemporary parallels — work that speaks to every age.
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The timeless words of William Shakespeare encourage us to imagine, to feel and to reminisce. Bell Shakespeare revels in the essential humanity of Shakespeare’s works, whilst allowing his plays to embrace their contemporary relevance on stages and in schools around Australia. Peter Evans, Artistic Director
Season 2016
ARTISTIC STATEMENT
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The first lesson Shakespeare taught me was a lesson in love. In high school my English teacher asked us to yell out words and phrases that might capture the heart of a woman. As teenage boys, keen to impress each other and looking for any advantage in wooing our imagined girlfriends, we attacked our task with predictable immaturity. Once the hoots and hollers had died down my teacher did something that I’ll never forget. He introduced me to the words of love that William Shakespeare gave the women in his plays; from Rosalind to Cleopatra to Viola and back to the most charming of all, Juliet: My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite Combine this with Zeffirelli’s wonderful film from the late 60’s and I was hooked. And then, being a young man, I became gripped by Shakespeare’s darkness. The flipside to the passion is the pain, expressed with ferocious clarity. It’s not an accident that in my first programme as Artistic Director for Bell Shakespeare, a role I am honoured to step into, I chose one of Shakespeare’s most evocative romantic tragedies, Romeo And Juliet. A story of deep, defining passion, boyish mischievousness, mateship, first love and unexpected violence, shows so much of the humanity Shakespeare reflects within all of his plays. With beautiful 16th century costumes we are going to luxuriate in the love and violence of Verona. But don’t expect something from the museum. Bell Shakespeare is all about the contemporary, and seeing ourselves reflected in these works. This production will continue that mission… but with beautiful frocks! From the wit and youth of Shakespeare’s earliest tragedy in Romeo And Juliet we move to betrayal, and the jealous roar which is Othello. In a fierce, contemporary military world we present this late tragedy, arguably one of Shakespeare’s finest. A tragedy about power and a jealousy so wild that it arouses pity and fear in audiences. A claustrophobic, tightly woven play that sees Shakespeare at his most musical and uncompromising. Bell Shakespeare is, at its heart, a company that celebrates the writer. Words are what drive us. So to our third offering for 2016: a special collaboration with Griffin Theatre Company where we will continue our love affair with Justin Fleming’s translations of Molière. After the success of The School for Wives in 2012, Griffin’s Artistic Director, Lee Lewis, will direct The Literati, a brand new translation of Les Femmes Savantes de Molière. Exposing the pretensions of the Parisian literary scene, Molière will delight us with his relentless, acerbic wit.
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Bell Shakespeare favourite and our current Writer in Residence Kate Mulvany will lead a wonderful cast onto the stage of the SBW Stables Theatre at Kings Cross; Australia’s physically small but influentially large theatre of new Australian writing. What better alliance for Bell Shakespeare, a theatre company celebrating writing that stands the test of time, than to collaborate with Griffin Theatre Company whose singular focus is Australian writers and new writing. 400 years ago Shakespeare didn’t just write plays, he coined phrases and made up words. He was respectful about what language could achieve, but he wasn’t reverential – he turned words and ideas inside out until they popped with even greater meaning and relevance. These are many of the reasons why I’ve loved working with Bell Shakespeare for the last 15 years – the great privilege of revelling in the world of words that Shakespeare created. I’ve also had the distinct pleasure of working with one of the greatest Shakespearean minds, my colleague and friend; the incandescent John Bell. As founder of Bell Shakespeare his legacy is a tribute to the performance of classical texts in Australia. It’s with much anticipation that I take up the mantle of Artistic Director, and all that entails. One of the greatest joys for anyone who works with or takes part in Bell Shakespeare’s offering, is the realisation that in this modern, disposable and digital world, Shakespeare is ageless and enduring. There is nowhere this is more apparent than witnessing the work we do in schools – the look on the faces of students as they discover a new world of words and acting. The work our arts educators and staff do creating and delivering these programmes is extraordinary and invaluable. I look forward to taking audiences of all ages, and from all corners of Australia, on a journey through Shakespeare’s world with us. Especially the 80,000+ students and teachers we reach in schools, in theatres and online. These are the audiences of our future and we are committed to fostering them. Our work is about sharing the timelessness of these classic works with all Australians and of enabling each audience member to find themselves reflected in stories of humanity and imagination. I invite you to join me on this journey. See you in the theatre!
Peter Evans, Artistic Director
Season 2016
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Season 2016
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Violence rumbles through the streets with two families at war. From such angry beginnings flame the fire of passion and forbidden love. From the first intimate blush to the tragic finale, Romeo And Juliet is a story for all ages. A tale of a chance meeting, love at first sight, the passion of youth, and old family feuds spilling blood. In a city divided by anger and from rivalling families, Romeo and Juliet come together in a dangerous union of love. Beautiful and intimate, Romeo And Juliet will be directed by Artistic Director Peter Evans, who will breathe new life into one of the greatest love stories ever told. Visually stunning in its nod to the layers of storytelling and the history of the play, it will feature a talented cast, including Alex Williams (Underground: The Julian Assange Story, INXS: Never Tear Us Apart) as Romeo, and Kelly Paterniti (Bell Shakespeare’s As You Like It) as Juliet.
BY William Shakespeare DIRECTOR Peter Evans
Designer Anna Cordingley Composer & Sound Designer Kelly Ryall Fight & Movement Director Nigel Poulton With Cramer Cain, Michelle Doake, Michael Gupta, Angie Milliken, Kelly Paterniti, Hazem Shammas, Tom Stokes, Damien Strouthos, Jacob Warner, Alex Williams
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE Previews 20 – 23 February Season 24 February – 27 March In Conversation with the Director 28 February 1pm – 2pm (free event) CANBERRA THEATRE CENTRE Preview 1 April Season 2 - 9 April In Conversation with the Director Venue: Hotel Hotel 3 April 1pm – 2pm (free event) ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE Preview 14 April Season 15 April – 1 May In Conversation with the Director 17 April 1pm – 2pm (free event)
Season 2016
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A violent exploration of the thin line that separates love and jealousy, Othello is a relentless journey of vicious passion. A warrior on the fields of war, felled by the sharpness of whispered words, Othello is a man swept up in desire, quickly turned to murderous rage when he is betrayed by his military brother-in-arms, the cynically destructive Iago. One of William Shakespeare’s most famous and passionate tragedies, Othello will be directed by Artistic Director Peter Evans, in a gripping production that will touch audiences to their core, as envy is a weapon wielded with brazen savagery, and the complex contradictory nature of humanity is tested. Starring Ray Chong Nee (Bell Shakespeare’s The Dream and MTC’s I Call My Brothers) as Othello, and Yalin Ozucelik (Bell Shakespeare’s Henry IV and STC’s Cyrano de Bergerac) as Iago in one of Shakespeare’s most captivating and devastating pairings, this astonishing epic tragedy will rage with jealousy on stages across Australia in Bell Shakespeare’s 2016 National Tour.
BY William Shakespeare DIRECTOR Peter Evans
Designer Michael Hankin Lighting Designer Paul Jackson Assistant Director & Fight Director Nigel Poulton With Ray Chong Nee, Joanna Downing, Alice Keohavong, James Lugton, Huw McKinnon, Elizabeth Nabben, Yalin Ozucelik, Michael Wahr
ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE Previews 12 – 13 July Season 14 – 23 July In Conversation with the Director 17 July 1pm – 2pm (free event) CANBERRA THEATRE CENTRE Season 14 – 22 October In Conversation with the Director Venue: Hotel Hotel 16 October 1pm – 2pm (free event) SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE Previews 25 – 26 October Season 27 October – 4 December In Conversation with the Director 30 October 1pm – 2pm (free event) Become part of the art Join our Othello Syndicate for special behind-the-scenes access to the full production process – see page 23 for more details!
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Juliet and Clinton are in love. Guileless, sweet, all-encompassing love. But love is not without impediments. Standing in the way of their eternal happiness are Juliet’s mother and sister, whose disapproval is of the most high-brow kind. This is the world of The Literati. It’s sassy, it’s silly, it’s Sydney. Written by great Australian playwright Justin Fleming after Molière’s Les Femmes Savantes, and fresh from writing the acclaimed Tartuffe (2014), the play is audaciously brought screaming into 21st century Australia and it is fabulous.
CO-PRODUCTION WITH GRiFFIN THEATRE COMPANY
In partnership with Griffin Theatre Company, and directed by Griffin’s Artistic Director Lee Lewis, with award-winning playwright and actor Kate Mulvany (Bell Shakespeare’s Tartuffe, Macbeth and Julius Caesar).
By Justin Fleming afTER Molière’s Les Femmes Savantes Director Lee Lewis
SBW Stables Theatre Previews 27 – 31 May Season 1 June – 16 July
SPECIAL EVENT
With Kate Mulvany
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Bell ShAkespeARe pResents
foR schools AudIences Performing at: Sydney Opera House 1 – 19 August Arts Centre Melbourne 23 – 26 August Because young audiences are our present and our future. This production will be on sale for schools in 2016. bellshakespeare.com.au/learning
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Help us shARe ouR WoRK WIth SHARING SHAKESPEARE
We’ve long had requests from schools in far-flung places that would dearly love to participate in our Learning programmes, but simply don’t have the means to take part. Thanks to the support of our Sharing Shakespeare donors in 2015, we were able to provide over 1,000 disadvantaged people in our community with free or subsidised access to Hearts In A Row experiences, Actors At Work performances and Student Masterclass opportunities. By adding a donation to your booking form you can help us share our work with even more Australians in 2016.
HeARts In A Row Welcoming new guests into the theatre Hearts In A Row gives individuals from socio-economically disadvantaged schools and charitable groups the opportunity to see a Bell Shakespeare mainstage production, a complimentary programme, drink voucher and pre-show talk. Hearts In A Row also provides recipients with a reason to visit some of Australia’s most iconic cultural spaces, many for the very first time. Even greater than the experience itself, this programme has become renowned for imbuing participants with an incredible sense of community and culture.
ActoRs At WoRk Presenting adapted performances in schools With only four banners and two road-cases of props, our Actors At Work teams travel the country to inspire young minds with 50-minute live performances in school gyms and halls, showing students that theatre can be created anywhere – all that’s required is imagination. Showcasing the best of Shakespeare’s stories and characters, original dialogue is complemented by modern commentary and references to assist students’ understanding, increase their engagement and demonstrate the lasting relevance of these timeless works.
Student MAsteRclAss Delivering richer learning experiences Our arts educators guide students through tailored, interactive workshops that are designed to inspire, excite and engage through activities focused on a selected play relevant to their area of study. Through a range of activities students are provided with a solid foundation to carry them through to their subsequent study of the play, while teachers are provided with invaluable guidance and support to convey the relevance and importance of the study of Shakespeare through their standard classroom lessons.
PlAy youR pARt Sharing Shakespeare speaks right to the heart of our original mission set in 1990 – to make Shakespeare and the classics accessible and relevant to Australians everywhere, regardless of their age, income or location. We invite you to help us share more of our work with even more Australians – just $100 will enable one child to see an Actors At Work performance in their school! Every gift makes a difference and all donations over $2 are tax-deductible. To find out more please visit bellshakespeare.com.au/support or call us on (02) 8298 9019.
Left: Arts educator Teresa Jakovich working with students at Emmaville Central School, NSW. Right: Recipients from The Big Issue ready to see As You Like It thanks to Hearts In A Row.
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Bell Shakespeare
Season 2016
REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE
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Buying a season package of two or three plays will give you access to exclusive benefits, special subscriber events and first pick of the performances. SAvIngs on seAts Season packages offer cheaper tickets, which can be booked across Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney so you can catch all of our plays at the best prices. Save up to 22% when you subscribe.
BIG DISCOUNTS FOR UNDER 18’s AND UNDER 30’s If you’re under 30, you get access to some of the cheapest tickets around. Available Sunday to Wednesday for Under 30’s and every performance for Under 18’s, you can see great theatre for as little as $30 a show when you subscribe.
PRIoRIty Access For three months after we launch, only subscribers can purchase tickets. This means you have access to the best seats in the house!
BRING youR fAmIly And fRIends A subscription allows you to purchase additional tickets at discounted rates for family and friends all year round. Or you can always spoil yourself and see a show twice!
Add to youR expeRIence A season package gives you other exclusive benefits outside the theatre such as invitations to special events and discounts on products offered by some of our partners. Make sure you’re signed up to receive emails from us to stay informed of latest offers. Visit bellshakespeare.com.au/register
QUESTIONS? We’re happy to answer any question, anytime, about our plays, season dates and seating availability or any other ticketing needs. We can also advise you about the best places to park, eat and drink or the best way to get to the theatre on public transport. Contact our customer service team on 1300 305 730 (Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm) or boxoffice@bellshakespeare.com.au
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2016 seAson cAlendAR ROMEO AND JULIET
The literati (General Admission only*)
Tue Wed Wed Thu Fri Sat Sat Sun 6.30pm 1.00pm 6.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 2.00pm 7.30pm 4.00pm
Mon Tue Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sat 7.00pm 1.00pm 7.00pm 7.00pm 7.00pm 7.00pm 2.00pm 7.00pm
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OTHELLO Tues 6.30pm
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Thu Fri Sat Sat 7.30pm 7.30pm 2.00pm 7.30pm
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Season 2016
SPECIAL events
Become part of the art We invite you to be a part our 2016 national touring production by joining our Othello Syndicate. You’ll share unique experiences including time with the director and cast, exclusive access to behind-the-scenes opportunities and intimate events throughout the season. Join a select group of likeminded individuals who share your passion for theatre. Your support means you will be directly involved in bringing Othello to life.
400 years of Shakespeare 2016 marks 400 years since Shakespeare’s death. With his work being as relevant today as ever, it has never been more important that his work remains accessible to more Australians – regardless of their age, income or location. We invite you to celebrate this global milestone with us at our 2016 Gala. All funds raised will directly support our programmes and initiatives most in need.
More information To receive further information about the Othello Syndicate or 2016 Gala, please mark your interest on your booking form or email us at giving@bellshakespeare.com.au
HOW TO BOOK youR pAckAge
There are three easy ways for you to secure your season package today!
ONLINE Go to bellshakespeare.com.au and book your packages online.
PHONE Call 1300 305 730 to speak to one of our box office staff.
FORM Use the enclosed Booking Form and post it to: 2016 SEASON BELL SHAKESPEARE Reply Paid 10 Millers Point NSW 2000
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Creating great theatre takes innovative collaborations between great organisations. Bell Shakespeare is proud to have a family of Corporate Partners who have worked alongside us to deliver amazing outcomes over the last 25 years.
TAke youR busIness centRe stAge At Bell Shakespeare we believe when it comes to partnerships, one size does not fit all. Each valued member of our Corporate Partner family has a bespoke package tailored to achieve specific business objectives. From delivering unforgettable employee engagement opportunities, to facilitating extraordinary learning and development programmes, and providing innovative marketing and brand activations, Bell Shakespeare offers first class, socially responsible solutions to Australia’s leading companies. We are intensely proud of our legacy as Australia’s only truly national theatre company and strive continually to break new ground. Our Corporate Partnerships Team is highly experienced in working with businesses to reach ambitious goals and targets while using the platform of theatre to create accessibility and engagement. Bell Shakespeare’s valued partners use their relationship with us to: — Bring their brand to life through year-round, national brand campaigns — Engage, reward and invest in their employees — Create unique hospitality events — Complement and develop business-to-business marketing plans — Enhance corporate social responsibility strategies through our existing education and outreach programmes
Left Corporate Learning and Development day Right As You Like It Dinner On The Stage
To discuss ways in which Bell Shakespeare may be able to assist you in achieving your own business objectives, contact Amelia Lawrence, Corporate Development Manager, on (02) 8298 9071 or amelial@bellshakespeare.com.au
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ThAnk you to ouR pARtneRs MAJOR PARTNERS
National Schools Partner
Official Wellbeing Partner
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
Perth Season Partner
COMPANY PARTNERS
Accommodation Partner
Legal Partner
Official Catering Partner Sydney
Aesop Community Partner
Special Event Partner
Accomodation Partner Canberra
Paper Partner
Public Affairs Advisors
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Special Event Partner
Printing Partner
Wine Partner
Digital Partner
Restaurant Partner Sydney
MEDIA PARTNERS
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
CORPORATE MEMBERS CBRE EY
Bell Shakespeare is supported by the NSW Government through Arts NSW.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
Supported by the Australian Government
COMMUNITY PARTNERS We would like to thank the following trusts and foundations for their support, which enables us to make a genuine impact across the country. Bill & Patricia Ritchie Foundation Collier Charitable Fund Crown Resorts Foundation Gandel Philanthropy
Ian Potter Foundation Intersticia Foundation James N Kirby Foundation Limb Family Foundation Packer Family Foundation Robert Salzer Foundation Rowley Foundation Scully Fund Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation Weir Anderson Foundation
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Ask us AnythIng
HOW CAN I EXCHANGE MY TICKETS? You receive one (1) free ticket exchange per production with your season package. All other exchanges are $6.60 per transaction. To exchange your tickets, please return them with a note indicating your new date selection to:
If you’ve got questions, we’ve got the answers. And if you can’t find the answer below, call us on 1300 305 730 Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm. HOW DO I BOOK? Book online at bellshakespeare.com.au or call us on 1300 305 730 or use the enclosed booking form. HOW DO I BUY A SEASON PACKAGE OR TICKETS AS A GIFT? We can arrange a gift voucher for you. Just give us a call between Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm. DO I NEED TO FILL OUT THE COMPANION DETAILS? If you’re buying for other people, we’d love to be able to give them the same benefits as you. If there’s not enough space on the form, you can attach a separate piece of paper with each of your companions’ details. That way they’ll receive all the benefits of a season package and have access to exclusive offers throughout the year. CAN I PURCHASE ADDITIONAL TICKETS? You can purchase additional tickets at a discounted rate for family and friends for the same performances you’ve selected in your season package and you’ll be seated together. CAN I SIT WITH MY FRIENDS? Of course! Just put your forms in the same envelope or email them to us together. AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A CONCESSION? The concession price is available to Australian full-time students, seniors or current holders of a means-tested Australian pension (Aged Disability, Veterans’ Affairs, Supporting Parent, Health Care Card). You’ll just need to provide proof of eligibility with your booking form. WHAT IS THE TRANSACTION FEE? There is a single fee of $6.60 per booking form to cover postage and handling, no matter how many season packages or tickets you purchase or how you pay for them. WHAT IS AN UNDER 30 OR OVER 18 PACKAGE? If you were born in 1985 or later for an Under 30 ticket, or 1997 or later for an Under 18 ticket and can provide proof of age, we can give you a discount. Identification may also be required on admission to the theatre. Please note that Under 30 packages are only available for performances Sunday to Wednesday, are subject to availability and a limit of four additional tickets per transaction. WHAT IF I LOSE MY TICKET? Contact the Bell Shakespeare Box Office on 1300 305 730 to let us know. We’ll organise for a lost ticket voucher to be issued to you by your venue box office on the day of your performance which will be available from one hour before the show.
2016 SEASON BELL SHAKESPEARE PO Box 10 Millers Point NSW 2000 Tickets must be received by Bell Shakespeare at least two (2) working days before the original performance date. Any exchange is subject to availability. WHEN WILL SINGLE TICKETS GO ON SALE? Single tickets go on sale: Romeo And Juliet 19 December 2015 The Literati 7 December 2015 Othello 17 May 2016 To book, please contact the venue box office in your city: ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE 1300 182 183 | artscentremelbourne.com.au CANBERRA THEATRE CENTRE (02) 6275 2700 | canberratheatrecentre.com.au SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE (02) 9250 7777 | sydneyoperahouse.com Griffin Theatre Company SBW Stables Theatre 02 9361 3817 | griffintheatre.com.au WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY? Bell Shakespeare is committed to providing equal access theatre. We schedule captioned and audio described performances wherever possible. Check performance schedules for specific dates. Hearing Loops are available for every performance. Bell Shakespeare provides access for Companion Cards holders. In 2016 we will present performances in four venues. Sydney Opera House, Arts Centre Melbourne and Canberra Theatre Centre all provide full access to patrons with limited mobility. The SBW Stables Theatre is keen to provide patrons with the best possible experience at Griffin for those with limited mobility, vision impairment or hearing impairment. We regret however that the historic SBW Stables Theatre does present some challenges to people with limited mobility and is not wheelchair accessible. To find out more, we encourage you to call our Box Office staff on 1300 305 730.
Level 1, 33 Playfair Street The Rocks NSW 2000 Australia PO Box 10 Millers Point NSW 2000 Australia T +61 2 8298 9000 E mail@bellshakespeare.com.au BellShakespeareCo @BellShakespeare bellshakespeare Bell Shakespeare
bellshakespeare.com.au
This brochure is printed on Nordset from BJBall Papers. Nordset is an environmentally responsible paper produced from FSC® Mixed Sources Chain of Custody (CoC) certified pulp from well managed forests, is Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) and made Carbon Neutral. Nordset is manufactured by Nordland Papier, a company certified with environmental management systems ISO 14001 and EMAS, the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (Reg.No.D-162-00007) Nordset has also been awarded the EU ‘Flower’ eco-label certification. Design by Christopher Doyle & Co. Photography by Pierre Toussaint.