Bell Shakespeare Season 2014

Bell Shakespeare has announced its 2014 Season, adding a fourth mainstage show to the programme, including its first production of Moliere’s Tartuffe, new exclusive behind-the-scenes access and online dialogue for students, continued work with refugee students and juvenile justice programme, and celebrations aplenty for Shakespeare’s 450th birthday.

To start the year, Bell Shakespeare’s Co-Artistic Director John Bell rediscovers The Winter’s Tale. This rarely performed play will be told through the eyes of Mamillius, the child prince, who will take audiences back to a time when everything seemed possible, even miracles.

Damien Ryan directs his first mainstage production for Bell Shakespeare with Henry V. This contemporary take is inspired by the true story of a group of boys who rehearsed plays in a bunker during the Blitz in 1941.

Following the success of the Company’s previous Molière tour, Bell Shakespeare’s Co-Artistic Director Peter Evans presents an exclusive Sydney season of Justin Fleming’s version of Moliere’s Tartuffe.

For the first time in over 10 years, Bell Shakespeare will present a new version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Titled The Dream, this family-friendly, 90-minute production, will be directed by Peter Evans.

Bell Shakespeare Learning continues its work taking Shakespeare to all Australians, including a new schools production of Macbeth, new digital workshops, the third and final year of a residency with refugee and migrant students, juvenile justice programmes in male and female centres and its schools tour, Actors At Work, taking Shakespeare to both primary and secondary school students around the country.

Bell Shakespeare and Australian Chamber Orchestra reunite to tour Janáček’s final composition, the string quartet Intimate Letters, arranged for string orchestra, under the direction of London Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Gordan Nikolic and Bell Shakespeare’s Co-Artistic Director, Peter Evans.

In 2014, the Company’s developmental arm, Mind’s Eye, will continue to support writers Caleb Lewis (Sleep With Me), Jane Bodie (Savage), Luke Mullins and Lachlan Philpott (Lake Disappointment), Sue Smith (Lear) and Rita Kalnejais (Fidelity) as they fine-tune their new plays.

The Winter’s Tale

Sydney Opera House Playhouse

Previews: March 1, 2 & 4. Season: March 5 – 29.

Bookings: 02 9250 7777

Henry V

Touring Nationally to 32 Venues

Including

Canberra Theatre Centre, The Playhouse

Preview: June 13. Season: June 14 – 28.

Bookings: 02 6275 2700

Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse

Preview: July 1. Season. July 2 – 12

Bookings: 1300 182 183

Perth

July 24 – 26.

Sydney Opera House, Playhouse

Preview: Oct 21 & 22. Season. Oct 23 – Nov 15.

Bookings: 02 9250 7777

Tartuffe

By Molière n a new version by Justin Fleming

Sydney Opera House, Drama Theatre

Previews: July 26, 27 & 29. Season: July 30  – August 23.

02 9250 7777

The Dream

Canberra Theatre Centre, The Playhouse

Preview: Aug 28 & 29. Season: Aug 30 – Sep 13.

Bookings: 02 6275 2700

Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse

Preview: Sep 18. Season. Sep 19 - 24

Bookings: 1300 182 183

Macbeth

Schools Production

Sydney Opera House, Drama Theatre

July 21 – Aug 15

Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse

Aug 18 – 22.

Bookings: 1300 305 730

Intimate Letters

Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane Concert Hall – Aug 18

Newcastle City Hall – Aug 20

ANU Canberra, Llewellyn Hall – Aug 23

Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall – Aug 24

City Recital Hall Angel Place, Sydney – Aug 26 - 30

Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall – Aug 31 & Sep 1

Adelaide Town Hall – Sep 2

bellshakespeare.com.au

Image. Bell Shakespeare directors John Bell, Damien Ryan and Peter Evans. Photographer: Pierre Toussaint