One of the most thrilling new Shakespeare resources to appear on the scene has been created out of the English Department of the University of Sydney, a labour of love from Professor Liam Semler.
Shakespeare Reloaded is a whole new, holistic way of thinking about Shakespeare education. Stimulating, variegated and interactive, it includes reflective writing, activities, analysis, research, listings, links and pretty much everything else you can think of.
This resource will continue to expand and will be invaluable for teachers of all levels, students, and those who are simply interested in richer encounters with Shakespeare.
It’s been a huge year for Melbourne-based actors’ collective Shakespeare Republic. After an amazing run of gathering up awards everywhere they went, they have recently launched their next round of videos.
Season Two of the Shakespeare Republic series will be appearing over 2017. These are beautifully produced soliloquies from Shakespeare’s most famous characters, interpreted by a wide range of talented actors.
One of the joys of the Sydney Festival is being visited by some of the world’s most exciting interpreters of the classics of theatre. Cheek by Jowl have been turning out superb reimaginings of Shakespeare for many years now, both in Britain and in association with Russian artists. This year they are bringing Measure for Measure to Sydney, directed by Declan Donnellan and performed by the Pushkin Theatre of Moscow.
Measure for Measure is a tragicomedy that shows us the darker side of social politics, corruption and sexual trade, but it also contains one of Shakespeare’s most powerful messages of hope and the possibility of mercy.
Performed in Russian with English surtitles.
On at the Roslyn Packer Theatre, Walsh Bay, for a run of less than a week.
Bard on the Beach always do two plays in repertory, usually a comedy and a tragedy. The summer of 2017 will see Romeo and Juliet and the much more rarely performed Merry Wives of Windsor grace the Balmoral foreshores. The company has expanded its performance sites over the last few years, so now you can see them both north and south of the harbour.
There is nothing more Sydney that an outdoor, summer Shakespeare.
From 17 December, Bella Vista Farm and Leura Everglades.
Hearing what Sport for Jove will be doing next is always something to look forward to. This year’s outdoor summer season looks as incisive and vigorous as ever, with a focus on the Roman plays.
Julius Caesar
A play about self-serving politicians manipulating the mob into destroying their democracy themselves – what could be more topical?
This play is very much an ensemble piece, and boasts a cast of great depth, but Suzanne Pereira will carry the title role.
Antony and Cleopatra
One of the great tragedies, surprisingly rarely performed in Australia. Love and loss on the scale of empires.
Camilla Ah Kin and Christian Stollery will be playing the couple who find a kingdom well lost.
