William Shakespeare’s Reservoir Dogs review | St Martins Youth Art Centre

In their latest production, Ghostlight League bring the worlds of William Shakespeare and Quentin Tarantino together with William Shakespeare's Reservoir Dogs. It's not a combination you would normally expect, but this retelling of one of Tarantino's best movies moved into the Victorian era is thoughtfully composed with a few surprises along the way.

Steven Hopley has done wonderful work in "translating" Tarantino's script, with notable scenes cleverly but accurately recreated to great effect. The opening scene where the group discuss Madonna and "Like A Virgin" appropriately sets the tone and the accompaniment of a live band playing period specific covers of the film's soundtrack enhances both genres.

The Taming of the Shrew review

William Shakespeare's The Taming of The Shrew has seen countless adaptations in theatre, opera, ballet, film, radio and TV, and to wrap up its 2019 program, the Melbourne Shakespeare Company have brought it back to Melbourne in an outdoor setting with a twist. To address the controversy of the play regarding its sexist and misogynist tones, the company have pulled together a predominantly female cast with the character of Bianca change to Bianco and played by a man, who has a list of female suitors after him.

The casting of Katherina is determined by an audience vote before every performance and on opening night, the majority voted for John Vizcay-Wilson to be Katerino with the role of Petruchia performed by Emma Jevons. This shift in power and gender blending allows the humour and the liveliness of the story to come through and it's refreshing to have the women be confident, loud and brash and not be admonished for it.

The Will To Be - Melbourne Fringe Festival review

It’s 1962 and a university lecturer in Melbourne has been fired from his position due to having an affair with a student. A male student. As he packs his belongings, he ponders what the next chapter of his life will entail. Should he stay silent and continue living with his adoring wife or does he take a brave step forward and explore his feelings for Henry at a time when homosexuality is still illegal in Australia.

As William deals with the immediate repercussions of his relationship being uncovered, The Will To Be flashbacks to his life with Lola and his encounters with Henry. Mark Salvestro puts in an admirable performance as the educator, with his quivering voice, nervous disposition and hints of a longing to be himself. The way he describes his sexual encounter with Henry is suitably erotically awkward and very much in line with the character that is presented to us.

Bell Shakespeare's 2020 Season

Bell Shakespeare has unveiled its splendid 2020 season exploring two of William Shakespeare’s most popular and classic plays, re-imagined for 21st century audiences, Hamlet and The Comedy of Errors. Touring to Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, these two productions are bound to be a hit with audiences as Shakespeare's universal insights bring inspiration and truth to the uncertain world in which we live in today.

"From humble beginnings in a circus tent, to presenting a program I couldn’t be more excited to share on stages around Australia in 2020, Bell Shakespeare has come a very long way in 30 years.” says Artistic Director Peter Evans. “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."

A Midsummer Night's Dream review | Australian Shakespeare Company | Royal Botanic Gardens

Nestled within the Royal Botanic Gardens, The Australian Shakespeare Company present William Shakepeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. This outdoor performance is the perfect way to spend a Melbourne summer evening enjoying a picnic with friends, surrounded by nature and being thoroughly entertained by the hijinks these Athenian residents and fairies find themselves in. 

For those unaware, the plot follows the marriage between Theseus, the Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazon. However their marriage is put on hold when Egeus announces he want his daughter Hermia to marry Demetrius, despite Hermia wanting to marry Lysander and Hermia's close friend Helen being desperately in love with Demetrius. Within the forest that these young lovers find themselves, Oberon, the King of the Fairies attempts to put Titania, the Queen of the Fairies, under a magic spell. Of course, things don't go quite according to plan and just who is supposed to be in love with who becomes one confusing and chaotic romantic comedy.