Skip to main content

'Shakespeare Pick and (re)Mix!’ // Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble

 The ‘2022 Fringe Brisbane’ festival is a chance for independent and local artists to bring their works to the stage, and Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble’s production of ‘Shakespeare Pick and (re)Mix!’ was nothing short of a fantastic night out. Held in the heart of Fortitude Valley at Elements Collective, the audience saw ‘Express Macbeth’, ‘Half Hour Hamlet’ and ‘Instant Romeo & Juliet’ characters each try to convince the audience why their story deserved to be told. 

As the crowd entered the makeshift theatre, members of the ensemble shoved signs in their faces, asking for votes…very similar to Australia’s election polling booths. Each play was given 30 seconds to give their elevator pitch to the audience for the chance to perform their play on this night (after a fantastic Hamilton-style rap sequence). On 14 October, Hamlet was victorious.

After a marvellous introduction, the audience was instructed in true Shakespearean style to make night noises, be involved with the production and scream “encore” at the end. (Back in the Elizabethan era, it was customary for the peasants, or audience, to shout out “boo” at the villain, etc.)

Shakespeare lovers and haters alike watched a shortened version of the tragedy ‘Hamlet’, affectionately dubbed ‘Half Hour Hamlet.’ Over 30 minutes, the audience saw the wonderful highlights of the play coupled with some incomparable costume changes. However, what happened next was a true spectacle: the ensemble shortened the story not once, but twice! The ending round saw the story of ‘Hamlet’ performed from start to finish in five minutes flat.

Director Rebecca Murphy has created a truly hilarious evening out for Fringe Brisbane. Murphy has clearly worked and trained these actors to embody Shakespeare’s characters for such a fast-paced performance. The set design was extremely simple, however very useful: four small velcro boxes were utilised and easily moved into many positions –perfect for the creation of different shows. Lighting was basic, using the overhead LED bulbs for the entirety of the show.

The ensemble consisted of Leah Fitzgerald-Quinn, Liliana Macarone, Rebecca Murphy, Dudley Powell, Rebekah Schmidt and Angus Thorburn. All members of the ensemble came out for this production with an absolutely crazy amount of energy that did not falter. Each ensemble member brought their character to life in this production and had the entire audience engaged from the moment we walked into the venue. 

Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble has created a hilarious and fantastic night out in the heart of Brisbane! Get on down to catch this awesome production or book for another show as part of the Brisbane Fringe Festival.

Original Article: https://www.theatrehaus.com/2022/10/shakespeare-pick-and-remix-queensland-shakespeare-ensemble/

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Footloose: The Musical // Phoenix Ensemble

Dig those dancing shoes out of the closet as Footloose has come to town! Set in the southwest of America, this toe-tapping musical produced by Phoenix Ensemble is sure to raise the roof and have you smiling ear to ear! Following the story of Ren and his mother as they move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. But what he is not prepared for is the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, who is determined to exercise control over the town's youth.  When the Reverend's rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren's reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges pins a father longing for the son he lost against a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. Footloose is Directed and Choreographed by Isabelle Quayle (with assistance fro...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: The Norman Mailer Anecdote - Queensland Theatre (Door 3)

Written by Grace Wilson The Norman Mailer Anecdote, produced by Big Scary Animal kicked off Queensland Theatre’s Door 3 program with hard-hitting questions, complex narratives, and well-rounded performances. The Door 3 program, new to Queensland Theatre in 2024, gives space for emerging artists to create and perform pitched work with support and space contributed by Queensland Theatre. For a premiere program of this size, it was a waiting game to see how high the bar would be set, and Big Scary Animal set the precedent for Door 3 works to come.  The Norman Mailer Anecdote by Anthony Mullins explores ideas of sexual assault and the relationships that come apart in times of crisis. The work itself was confronting - it tackled these ideas through a lens of upper middle-class Australia, specifically Brisbane, and used both the lens of legal terminology and creative writing to create a wide scope when approaching the program.  The cast itself was intimate and connected - standout p...
Post a Comment
Read more

The SpongeBob Musical // Phoenix Ensemble

  Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?! Great ready for pure chaos as you descend to the sea floor in Phoenix Ensemble’s fantastic quirky musical for the whole family: The SpongeBob Musical! The stakes are high as SpongeBob & all of Bikini Bottom face total annihilation with the impending rupture of Mount Doom, the volcano. Chaos erupts and lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost the most unexpected hero rises up and takes centre stage proving that optimism really can save the world! The set design by Justin Tubb-Hearne is ingenious from top to bottom! The creative use of pool noodles to signify sea anemones is a stroke of genius. Hanging about the stage are tons of intriguing items that resemble the sea floor such as boots, car rims, rope and many other things. A great tie into the environment showing that trash and litter reaches the seafloor. The shining star of the set is the volcano top, utilising chains and caution tape the audience feels like they...
Post a Comment
Read more