The Bathurst Shakespeare Players are set to return to Abercrombie House from next Thursday for a six-performance run of The Tempest, and for the first time, it is set to be a widely collaborative affair.
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In a change from previous productions, the Bathurst Shakespeare Players has engaged with Mitchell Conservatorium to work on original music arrangements, with teacher Michelle Griffin serving as chief composer and the VOX chamber choir contributing vocals to the production.
Director Brett Van Heekeren said Shakespeare's ambitious approach towards writing The Tempest challenged the Bathurst Shakespeare Players to think outside the box regarding presentation.
"Shakespeare wrote The Tempest for an indoor theatre with lots of visual and sound queues, as well as song, so we're planning to bring this to the grounds of Abercrombie House as authentically as possible," Mr Van Heekeren said.
"The collaboration with Michelle and the VOX choir has been a logical step in creating the sense of magic and mystery presented in The Tempest through song and sound."
Ms Griffin said collaborations between individuals and groups from many facets within the arts is key to growing local creativity and performance moving forward.
"Brett approached me about The Tempest because he's a member of the VOX choir, and I was really excited at the prospect of writing music for a Shakespeare production; it's something I've never attempted before and, on top of that, had to write for three different scenarios depending on restrictions," she said.
"The more artists from multiple disciplines collaborate with each other, the better an end result you're going to get, as it broadens the sphere for ideas."
Mr Van Heekeren said the cast spent most of rehearsals in lockdown on Zoom, which has allowed each cast member time to truly understand their characters.
"It's going to look, sound and feel different from any show we've done before, so I think audiences are in for a real treat," he said.
Abercrombie House owner Christopher Morgan said a stage will be erected in the centre of the drawing room lawn, and hopes the weather gods will be kind throughout the run.
"If you love Shakespeare, this will be a joy, but if you don't quite understand Shakespeare, this will be a great place to start," Mr Morgan said.
The Tempest will be performed on November 25, 26 and 28, and December 2, 3, and 4, with gates opening at 6pm for all performances except November 28 [5pm]. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $20 for senior concession and $10 for students, and are on sale at stickytickets.com.au.
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