Bold Work Receives Premiere with NZSO
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The Unitec Department of Performing and Screen Art 2013 Shakespeare season is a much anticipated annual event for theatre-goers bored with the usual traditional approach to staging Shakespearean classics.
Last year's all-male Unitec production of Titus was picked up by Auckland's Q Theatre and is currently being staged at the Loft. Benjamin Henson, one of New Zealand's most in demand young directors with credits such as Confessions and An Awkward Family Christmas to his name, was back to direct Titus with the same cast, who have since graduated from Unitec and entered the industry as professionals. The production is supported by a crew of mostly Unitec production graduates.
This year's Shakespeare season which opens at the Unitec Theatre on 7 and 8 June, sees Henson return again to the director's chair, this time for Hamlet. Experienced actor/director, Jacque Drew has been commissioned to direct The Comedy of Errors. Unitec's third year acting class have been divided into two cohorts to perform both plays.
Unitec's Curriculum leader for Live Performance, John Davies explains: "The brief to the directors is that the company reduce each play's performance time to within 80 minutes, requiring an in depth investigation, a dismantling and reassembling of the play. The results will be unexpected, and with Jacque and Ben guiding this rigorous process, there will be more than a few surprises!"
Both Henson and Drew promise a unique experience for audiences in their modern adaptations of two Shakespearean classics.
"We're doing a very slick and modern Hamlet, with quite a lot of surreal elements," says Henson.
Unitec third year acting student Albert Walker, who plays Hamlet, says audiences will relate to Unitec's adaptation of the play: "What I like about how we're doing this is we're removing the fantasy and seeing it as a family drama, people with real problems." Walker says he had done Shakespeare before at Mt Albert Grammar, but this was the first time he's played Hamlet. And he's excited at getting the role. "The role is close to me. It's about a young man learning to be a man and finding the truth about his parent's futility," he explains.
Expect even more surprises with The Comedy of Errors. A sensational set has been created which will take audiences on a fun ride, according to director Jacque Drew, who can name Shortland Street among her many acting/directing credits on screen and stage.
"For Comedy of Errors, we're bringing back old school slapstick humour but in a contemporary way," she says.
The Unitec 2013 Shakespeare Season runs from 7-15 June at the Unitec Theatre in Mt Albert, Auckland. Tickets on sale at iTICKET.co.nz.
Season Info
Unitec Shakespeare Season 2013
Hamlet & The Comedy of Errors, Unitec Theatre
Entry 1 (Building 6), Carrington Rd, Mt Albert, Auckland
Tickets at www.iTICKET.co.nz(09) 361 1000. Booking fees may apply
Adults $15, Concession $10, Student $5
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