North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Globe actor following mother’s advice
Pop-up Globe actor Joel Herbert is dedicating his marathon performances to his mother, who died after making him promise to follow his passion.
Pop-up Globe is the world’s first temporary working replica of Shakespeare’s theatre, the second Globe,which was built on the banks of the River Thames in 1599.
It returns to Auckland for its second season from February 23 till May 14 and features four of Shakespeare’s plays: Much Ado About Nothing, Henry V, Othello and As You Like It.
With 40 shows over four months, it is a mammoth undertaking.
‘‘It’s running a marathon or climbing Mt Everest in acting terms,’’ Herbert says.
Herbert features as Westmoreland in the war story, Henry V and Oliver in the comedy, As You Like It.
The large scope of the two roles, coupled with the gruelling schedule, sometimes see Herbert as a staunch warrior in the morning, and a foppish, dandy-like character in the evening.
‘‘It’s demanding physically as well as mentally,’’ he said.
‘‘We are wearing at least 20 kilograms of armour and doing lots of sword fighting.
‘‘Some people are losing weight so fast the costume people can’t keep up.’’
‘‘Never in my life have I done anything this intense before. But I’ve always loved Shakespeare and dreamed of doing a repertory season.’’
The Northcote Point resident said he had all but given up on acting when he went to last year’s Pop-up Globe.
While he thought, at the time, he would love to do that, he only auditioned this year because his mother, who was unwell, made him promise to.
Herbert’s mother died the same day he found out he was one of 30 to be chosen out of 1200 who auditioned.
Mum said, ‘‘You’re never as happy in life when you are doing something that you love.’’
‘‘I’m dedicating this performance to her,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the winner of the North Shore Times‘ competition, run on Neighbourly.co.nz, for two tickets to the Pop-Up Globe’s Othello in April is Lorraine Berry of Campbells Bay.
Berry posted on Neighbourly.co.nz that she would ‘‘love to see Shakespeare live’’.
Tickets available from Eventfinda.