Vernaculary Shakespeare
Wednesday April 2nd, 10:30 am (Percy Thomson Gallery)
Vernacularly Shakespeare is a talk by Dawn Sanders ONZM QSM (New Zealand theatre scholar, and the founder and current CEO of the Shakespeare's Globe Centre New Zealand) exploring the language elements of the Bard's work.
Olive Copperbottom
Friday April 4th, 7.30pm (King's Theatre) - $20
Penny Ashton returns to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, this time bringing the Dickensian world of orphaned hero Olive to crusty life, with a squalid gaggle of hilarious Victorians. A rollicking romantic musical journey through fifteen gin soaked characters told with song, dance and questionable personal hygiene. It’s Oliver! meets Blackadder with a saucy feminine twist.
Featuring reworkings of classical masters such as Chopin, Verdi and Tchaikovsky by the ever talented Robbie Ellis, and a brand new corset to make your eyes water from Elizabeth Whiting.
Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream creates a fun-filled comedic detour in this side-splitting show that is sure to be a festival hi-light!
“The London of Oliver Twist and David Copperfield lives in all its gutter glory: scabies, prostitutes, opium, crippled orphans, the pox, gin-soaked pubs and a life expectancy of 35 years.” Vue Weekly, Edmonton ★★★★
“… squeeze dozens of Dickensian characters into the body of one tightly corseted New Zealander by the name of Penny Ashton and you get Olive Copperbottom… Ashton is a one-woman-show wonder. Switching between a cast of characters with ease and grace…” CBC, ★★★★
“…a frothy margarita of theatrical fun, with a pronounced tequila kick.” Winnipeg Free Press, ★★★★
Friday April 4th, 7.30pm King's Theatre
Javanese Puppet Theatre
Sunday 6th April, 2pm (King's Theatre) - $10
Join us for an enchanting afternoon at the Gamelan Theatre as part of this year's vibrant festival! Experience the mesmerising rhythms and captivating melodies of traditional Indonesian Gamelan music, brought to life by a talented ensemble of musicians and puppeteers. Set against a backdrop of stunning visuals and epic narratives, this performance promises to transport you to the heart of Indonesia. Whether you're a longtime fan of world music or a curious newcomer, immerse yourself in this unique fusion of sound and movement that celebrates the beauty of cultural diversity. Don't miss this opportunity to witness a truly magical performance that will leave you inspired and uplifted!
SHAKESPEARE
IN SCHOOLS
Wednesday 9th April, 9:30am
(King's Theatre)
Ugly Shakespeare Company, who have been dazzling audiences with high speed, irreverent productions for years, bring one of the Bard's most popular works to stage. This is the absolute best introduction to Shakespeare you will ever have!
Free entry to schools.
Taranaki Region, 8th April
King's Theatre from 5.30
Door sales $5
The best talent from Taranaki Secondary Schools converge on The King's Theatre for regional qualifier for the annual nationwide SGCNZ Shakespeare Competition that always delivers an outstanding spectacle.
Javanese Puppetry Schools Workshop
Gamelan Indonesian Music and Puppetry Workshop Monday 7th April, 9.30am
Free workshops for YR 7-8 only on Monday 7th April.
Only 40 students per session, split into two groups.At the War Memorial Hall. Two 75min sessions where students get to experience playing the gamelan instruments and work with a puppeteer before joining together to present a small show.
First session 9.30-10.45
Second Session 11.15-12.30 (if there is demand)
Barden Party Schools Workshop
Shakespeare's Tool Kit Workshop (Y9-13)
Friday 1th April, 9.30am
For new and seasoned Shakespearean performers. This workshop is designed to arm you with the tools to decipher Shakespeare's works. Aimed specifically at performance but can also just be useful for those wanting to be able to read and understand Shakespeare's works for their own pleasure, we break down Shakespeare's text and language in a fun way that helps actor's find part of their characters and the delivery of the words in the way that Shakespeare intended. You will leave this workshop with a better understanding and an easier, more relaxed way into figuring out Shakespeare's scripts using literary tools and having a better grasp on iambic pentameter.
Taught by Laura Irish - Creator and Artistic Director of The Barden Party, and Shakespearean actor and director since 2005, having studied Shakespeare at The Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC and with the former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Laura has taught, directed and acted in many Shakespeare performances for over a decade.
The Barden Party fresh from the Adelaide Festival are performing two free twilight shows: Malone Gates Friday 11th and Pioneer Village Saturday 12th April.
If you are interested in having your students attend any of these events please email shakespearestratford@gmail.com or ring Jo on 0211870030
Friday April 11th, 9.30am
The Barden Party
The Barden Party returns to give us a brooding and twisted Macbeth infused with bluegrass music and dark humour. This time around you can bring your picnic blanket and let the darkness overwhelm you as the drama unfolds and the murderous tale unravels in the gathering gloom beside the historic Malone Gates. Not sure if Shakespeare is for you? Come along and check out these AMAZING free shows
Friday April 11th, 7pm (KING EDWARD PARK)
SOMETHING FUN THIS WAY COMES ...
Imagine spending the afternoon wandering through the historic Pioneer Village and finding incredible musicians performing in the Courthouse, or the School house , in the beautiful Mangatoki Church or on the Village Green. Add in some delicious food, train rides, the Bouncy Globe Theatre, perhaps relax with beer in the barn, and from 6pm you can enjoy The Barden Party performing their incredible bluegrass Macbeth!
The Madrigal Companie
Ever wonder what was Top of the Pops in the Elizabethan Era? Now is the perfect time to find! Amazing soaring harmonies in some unusual spaces will give you a musical experience like no other!
Mason Brothers
Through falling leaves you can pick you way slowly to find these outstanding musicians playing songs that have become iconic in Kiwi culture over the past half century!
Liana Hart
Taking inspiration from acts like Neil Young and Fleetwood Mac, Liana Hart is a singer/songwriter who is known in Taranaki for her sweet country voice and heartfelt tunes.
The Barden Party
The hi-light of the day begins at 6.30pm The Barden Party performing their stunning Macbeth infused with bluegrass music and dark humour. This time around you can bring your picnic blanket and let the darkness overwhelm you as the drama unfolds and the murderous tale unravels in the gathering gloom on the Village Green.
Saturday April 12th, 6pm (Pioneer Village)