theatrewhack presents: Shakespeare's Problems

theatrewhack presents: Shakespeare's Problems

"Virginity breeds mites, much like a cheese..."

When 7 Auckland actors met during a recent production of Shakespeare's "Pericles - Prince of Tyre" talk turned to where their next fix of the Bard was going to come from.

"Problems" director Patrick Graham came to the rescue. How about taking three of Shakespeare's problem plays, extracting the best bits, then workshopping, chopping and rearranging them to create an hour of challenging, innovative and entertaining theatre?

Timon of Athens, Measure for Measure and All's Well that Ends Well - so-called "problem plays" for their uneasy tone, dark moral dilemmas and, despite the traditional "happy endings" in two of them, the inability to resolve the deeper, more disturbing issues they raise.

Power, society and the loss of innocence are all examined, with no easy answers found, as well as plenty of the usual Shakespearean hi-jinks thrown in - bed tricks, disguises, ring-confusion and a forced marriage or two.

Using non-traditional venues like rock and roll bar The Lucha Lounge in Newmarket and the historic Campbell's Free Kindergarten in Victoria Park frees up the actors and audience alike and allows the action to jump around the space - with the audience expected to give chase!

An irreverent, loving, re-imagining of three of Shakespeare's most underperformed works.

week one: The Lucha Lounge
7:30pm
Wed June 25- Sat June 28
http://www.luchalounge.co.nz/
1 York St Newmarket

week two: Campbell's Free Kindy (Victoria Park)
7:30 pm
Wed July 2 - Sat July 5
203 - 271 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD
(It's the brick building in the middle of Victoria Park)

Book tickets: theatrewhack@gmail.com
$10 cash only at the door
With big thanks to The Classic Comedy & Bar and First Scene Ltd
Starring: Natalie Crane, James Crompton, Candice Naude, Aimee Olivia, Caleb Wells, Jacqui Whall and Patrick Graham

ENDS

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