Bell Shakespeare invited to perform in the UK
20 February 2006
Bell Shakespeare has been invited to perform its highly acclaimed production of The Comedy Of Errors at the Bath Shakespeare Festival in March 2006 and to then continue north for a season in Blackpool.
This marks Bell Shakespeare's first tour to the UK and provides a unique opportunity for the Company to partner with UK touring sponsor United Utilities for a landmark international initiative.
Bell Shakespeare is one of only 11 companies from around the world invited to perform at the eighth Bath Shakespeare Festival, and the first Australian company at the Festival.
"After 15 years of touring Shakespeare all over Australia, Bell Shakespeare has established a loyal following, a position of prestige and a talented ensemble of artists,’’ said Artistic Director John Bell.
"We have toured our education teams to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and mainstage work to Japan. But we’ve had a lot of feedback from British visitors who’ve said: ‘You really must take this production to England; they’d love it – it’s just so different, so refreshingly Australian!
"Without necessarily planning it that way, our productions do project attitudes to mateship, sexual politics, humour, social hierarchies, war and violence, racism and community values that are distinctly Australian. We are not encumbered by hundreds of years of tradition in presenting Shakespeare – our work is a direct reflection of who we are.
"To be able to showcase our work in Great Britain will be a revelation to us as well as our audience. We can test the universality of all the attitudes listed above and enter into a meaningful dialogue with British performers, audiences and media. Bell Shakespeare is now well established in Australia; it’s time to spread our wings, show the rest of the world what Australia can do and learn a lot of valuable lessons on the way.’
The Comedy Of Errors toured Australia in 2003 and the response from audiences and critics was so enthusiastic that the production returned for an extended tour in 2004. It is a feast for the eyes
and ears, with magic tricks and illusion by master magician Ross Skiffington and a lively and evocative score by jazz composer Phillip Johnston.
The production also features the sparkling comic talent of Darren Gilshenan, winner of a Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Play in Bell Shakespeare’s The Servant Of Two Masters.
Philip Parr, Director of the Bath Shakespeare Festival said: ‘We’re all delighted to have this opportunity to present a world class company with a truly unique and Australian take on Shakespeare, as part of what is the only substantial festival season of and about Shakespeare’s work, in the UK.
"It goes without saying that we are tremendously excited about presenting Bell Shakespeare’s UK debut and I am sure that this first season in this country will be the precursor of many further
extensive and successful tours."
Website: http://www.ozarts.com.au/events/bell_shakespeare_uk_tour/
