Fast-paced Shakespeare for summer
Manawatu¯ Summer Shakespeare will continue its long history in Palmerston North next year with a slapstick and fast-paced play.
Peter Hambleton, Massey University’s latest Artist in Residence, is staging Shakespeare’s play The Comedy of Errors, and will be holding a casting call next week.
Hambleton said was looking forward to collaborating with the Manawatu¯ community.
‘‘I’m really excited about doing it here and I feel like I have some connections already around the town that I can pick up on again and put together a strong team. It’s a short Shakespeare and it’s brilliantly structured. It is really clever and silly, fun and uplifting.’’
Hambleton directed a Summer Shakespeare in Palmerston North in 2008.
‘‘When Shakespeare is made clear, there are so many colours and textures. Shakespeare wrote for the masses, the poor people at the time, the middle classes. It’s for everybody and people don’t need to be afraid of it. This will be fast and fun. I really believe that Shakespeare is built for speed. It’s how the good stuff bubbles up.’’
Hambleton said The Comedy of Errors lends itself to a cast that is really diverse. ‘‘We would love to see all sorts of people at the auditions.
‘‘Maybe some people from the refugee and migrant communities, people with different backgrounds, so that we create a really rich production. Different body types, ethnicities – it would be great to have a real melting pot feel.’’
The location for The Comedy of Errors is still to be decided.
Casting will be held on November 4 and 5 at Massey University’s drama lab. Hambleton also said they are on the lookout for people to get involved with all aspects of the production, including costumes and set design.