Celebrating 20 years of outdoor Shakespeare
Manawatū Summer Shakespeare will celebrate its 20th anniversary this summer with a production of Romeo and Juliet in the Esplanade Rose Gardens in February.
After three years of producing comedies, Manawatū Summer Shakespeare decided on Romeo and Juliet.
‘‘Audiences already know the love story,’’ director Rhian Firmin said.
‘‘Why not explore the raw reality that runs alongside it, let’s uncover the bloodshed, the struggle of family and the heartache of how bitter ignorance can destroy lives.
‘‘Let’s highlight how both lovers’ parents’ drive for vengeance and societal gain blinded them to the truth about their own children.
‘‘Romeo and Juliet lost their lives due to their own parents’ sheer obliviousness and inattention.’’
Manawatū Summer Shakespeare works with Massey University, the Palmerston
Director
North City Council, local funding bodies and corporate sponsors, and is supported by the visiting artist scheme, which contracts a professional practitioner every year to direct the project.
The theatre programme aims to enrich and upskill the Manawatū theatre community and provide entertaining work to be enjoyed equally, from children to the most erudite professors.
This year the cast of 26 ranges in age from 18 to 76 and includes first-time participants, as well as regular favourites and icons, with crossovers from all corners of the creative community. There are teachers, community leaders, musical theatre and cover band rockers, support workers, civil servants, graduates, students – and Mark Kilsby, joining for his 16th production.
‘‘With this production, we’ll bring to life a gritty but vibrant take on Romeo and Juliet,’’ Firmin said.
Romeo and Juliet. Directed by Rhian Firmin. Feb 24 to March 4, 7pm/Saturday Feb 25, 5pm. No shows Sunday and Monday. Koha entry.
1. Porsche is owned by which other automobile company?
2. In which fairytale does the titular character spin straw into gold?
3. Blue Ivy is the daughter of which female singer?
4. Which monarch was known as Good Queen Bess?
5. The above British ruler, and which other monarch, reigned during the life of William Shakespeare?
6. A shark was spotted last week and people were asked to leave the water at Lyall Bay in which city?
7. On this day in 1842, the Fifeshire arrived carrying immigrants for the New Zealand Company’s first settlement of which island?
8. In the supermarket, which sort of produce is a Wilcox Vivaldi?
9. The Italian expression la dolce vita translates to which phrase in English?
10. The Labrador Sea is part of which ocean?
‘‘With this production, we’ll bring to life a gritty but vibrant take on Romeo and Juliet.’’ Rhian Firmin
Five-minute quiz