What's New

22 January, 2021

Free summer Shakespeare on Shore for under 15s

Flagstaff Team

Face off… (from left) Jordan Henare as Laertes, Steph Curtis as Gertrude and Jono Gabriel as Claudius in Hamlet, one of Shoreside Theatre’s summer Shakespeare season.

Shoreside Theatre is set to celebrate its 25th season of Shakespeare in the Park and is offering free tickets to children under 15.

This year’s programme, performed as the sun goes down over Lake Pupuke, features tragedy Hamlet and comedy Much Ado About Nothing.

Shoreside Theatre is now presenting the only outdoor Shakespeare productions in Auckland city.

“It was the most challenging year in the organisation’s 45-year history, but Shoreside Theatre is delighted to welcome in 2021 with a significant milestone,” said Shoreside president Catherine Boniface.

Shows will be running from this Saturday night until 20 February.

The two Shakespearean favourites will play on alternating nights at the PumpHouse Outdoor Amphitheatre beside Lake Pupuke. PumpHouse theatre manager James Bell is directing Hamlet. His cast has been rehearsing since mid October. “Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s longest and best known plays. We are aiming to make it entertaining and more suitable for a modern audience,” said Bell.

The story follows Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, and his conflicts when Fortinbras of Norway threatens Denmark with an invading army.

Bell said he is glad to be a part of this year’s Shakespeare series and has been focusing on the portrayal of the characters and telling a good story.

Boniface said the plays are true to the original text and period, and the performances will be complete with lavish custom Elizabethan costumes.

Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy about love, verbal-sparring, villainous schemes and mistaken identity. It is being directed by Jason Moffatt.

Taking aim… Erin Meek as Beatrice in comedy play Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado… ( from left) William Clark as Claudio, Trevor Sharp as Leonato, Ryan Douglas as Don Pedro and Jono Capel-Baker as Benedick rehearsing.
Photo: Anton Reinauer.

Earlier this year, Shoreside theatre had $60,000 go missing from its bank account and was forced to cancel its usually profitable Agatha Christie season because of Covid-19 restrictions.

It was saved by community donations, allowing it to prepare for its annual summer Shakespeare in the Park, which will be presented by a company of almost 100 people.

Notable past actors in the series have included Benjamin Mitchell (Shortland Street’s TK Samuels), James Napier Robertson (The Dark Horse), and Chye-Ling Huang (Shortland Street, Proudly Asian Theatre).

• All shows start from 7.30 pm. Tickets are available on the PumpHouse website. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult, with a maximum of 3 free tickets per booking. Adult tickets cost $25; children Under 15 are eligible for free tickets.

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