Statespeare

Yes! Shakespeare still speaks to today’s young people; shake & stir persuaded me

Writer Nelle Lee (working with scenes from nine popular Shakespearean plays) has put an ensemble of four actors in a situation of final year drama students examining Shakespeare plays as they prepare for their critical final assignment and performance. That’s how this play connects.            

Nelle and her actors are young enough to remember their own angst at secondary and tertiary level. Personal development and confrontations entangle with the bard’s scenes they are studying and illuminate them, reminding the students of his universality.

The three creators of shake & stir (Nelle Lee, Ross Balbuziente and Nick Skubij) plus Judy Hainsworth play four stereotypical students who agonise their way through this project. In the process they discover as much about themselves as about Shakespeare. Similar characters in the audience discover a little of themselves also.

This La Boite season is the prelude to a four-month national tour. Schools lucky enough to be on that tour are in for a thought provoking and stimulating theatre and educational experience.

Special kudos to Josh McIntosh for his practical set that adapts to multiple scene situations, and to sound designer Guy Webster who adds only enough to enhance the mood of Shakespearean scenes. In fact every techie is part of the success of this show. Bravo!

Jay McKee

Images: Top: (l-r) Judy Hainsworth, Nelle Lee, Ross Balbuziente, Nick Skubij. Lower: Writer/actor Nelle Lee. Photographer: Al Caiero

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