DIRECTOR JAMES EVANS
NATIONAL TOUR 1407_WESF - Art Sponsorship Campaign 2014-16 - Bell Shakespeare Package 2016_Program Ad_210x148mm_V3.indd 1 8/06/16 1:40 AM 20 years of inspiring young Australians through the greatest stories ever told. For 20 years, Foxtel’s support has brought Bell Shakespeare’s inspirational programs to students across Australia – from major cities to regional towns.
1407_WESF - Art Sponsorship Campaign 2014-16 - Bell Shakespeare Package 2016_Program Ad_210x148mm_V3.indd 1 8/06/16 1:40 AM COR0035_Bell_Shakespeare_FPC_A5_FA.indd 1 24/05/2019 4:03 PM 4 Bell Shakespeare
WE ARE BELL SHAKESPEARE SHAKESPEARE’S WORK EXPLORES HUMAN EXPERIENCE AT ITS LIMITS. IT WAS WRITTEN TO BE PERFORMED.
We ensure Shakespeare's work lives and INDIGENOUS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT breathes in theatres, schools and regional venues throughout Australia, where his words Bell Shakespeare acknowledges the people can be truly appreciated. of the land on which we rehearse and perform across Australia. We value the beauty of Shakespeare’s ideas, language and imagery. His work helps us find Much Ado About Nothing will be presented at modern perspectives on timeless truths. 27 venues across Australia and we acknowledge the traditional custodians on whose ancestral We believe Shakespeare and other great works land these venues sit. are not stuck in the past. They are the lens through which we can explore and question The First Peoples of this nation express their the present, and imagine the future. culture through music, dance and storytelling, and it is a privilege to continue a tradition of These plays are not static. They’re constantly storytelling and performance in this country. helping us make sense of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. And we’re We acknowledge custodians and elders, past and not static either. present, and pay respect to the cultural authority and traditions of this land. We’ve been travelling the country for more than 28 years, bringing classic theatre to Australia, looking for new ways to inspire, imagine and ignite. Shakespeare and the other classic plays we present challenge our beliefs and urge us to see ourselves in a new light. Their ability to discover the things that make us human inspires us to make work that challenges preconceptions and encourages new interpretations and contemporary parallels — work that speaks to every age. Much Ado About Nothing 5
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
It is my very great pleasure to introduce our 2019 part of the Regional Teacher Mentorship, national touring production of Much Ado About supporting and empowering their teaching Nothing directed by Bell Shakespeare’s Associate practice which in turn benefits students around Director, James Evans. the country. We also welcome three regionally located students as part of the John Bell One of Shakespeare’s most well-loved comedies, Scholarship program which identifies and this production will examine gender and nurtures emerging talent, supporting future courtship against a contemporary backdrop, professional pathways. taking a fresh and funny look at the complexities of love, honesty and expectation. I am sure it will I thank the generosity of our donors, corporate be a compelling night in the theatre. partners and trusts and foundations whose dedicated support ensures that our programs As Australia’s only national touring theatre continue to flourish and reach the most remote company we are extremely proud that our parts of the country. Last year we performed mainstage and education programs reach for audiences in 89% of electorates across so many parts of this vast country. Much Ado Australia and always strive to broaden our reach. About Nothing will be performed in no less than I would particularly like to celebrate our 20-year 27 venues across the nation and we pay tribute partnership with Foxtel, our national schools’ to our many venue partners and thank the partner, whose enduring support has enabled Commonwealth Government for their support of us to share Shakespeare’s timeless stories this tour through the Playing Australia Program. with hundreds of thousands of students across the nation. Our mainstage productions are complemented by an engaging and interactive education I hope you enjoy this production – it is our program that takes Shakespeare directly into absolute pleasure to share it with you. classrooms and school halls in every state and territory, providing production context, scholarship opportunities and unique ways of engaging with the Company. Every year we are delighted to welcome thirty regional and remotely Gill Perkins located teachers to our Sydney headquarters as Executive Director 6 Bell Shakespeare
FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Programming Much Ado About Nothing for our Bell Shakespeare was born out of the desire to 2019 national tour was an easy decision to make, bring Shakespeare’s work to audiences all over and marks just the fourth time Bell Shakespeare Australia and our national tour is an essential part has presented this cherished comedy. It’s a play of that vision. It is a privilege to be able to bring that delights and challenges audiences in equal this production to 27 venues around the country measure, and one that again reveals Shakespeare and we are pleased to welcome back familiar as a playwright that can hold opposing genres faces, on our stage and in the audience, and seamlessly together in one play. This is one of to meet new ones. his wittiest plays, written predominantly in prose, but amongst the warmth and frivolity I welcome you to this production and hope you is a powerful examination of courtship, codes enjoy the scheming, the courtship, the caustic of male friendship and gender politics. wit and the bumbling cops that make this play so well-loved. In the hands of our Associate Director James Evans, the banter and wit together with the cruelty and heartbreak sit side by side in his favourite Shakespeare comedy. James has gathered a stellar cast and inspired creative team to tell this story and to bring to life the pace and rhythm of some of Shakespeare’s Peter Evans sharpest language. Artistic Director Much Ado About Nothing 7
SYNOPSIS LET ME BE THAT I AM, AND SEEK NOT TO ALTER ME.
— Act 1, Scene 3
Returning from battle with Claudio and Benedick, The next day, at the wedding, Claudio publicly Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, visits Leonato, shames and denounces Hero, accusing her of Governor of Messina. Claudio falls in love with being unfaithful. Hero collapses in shock, and Leonato’s only daughter, Hero, while Benedick Claudio storms off with Don Pedro and Don John. swaps insults with Leonato’s quick-witted The Friar, believing Hero to be innocent, comes niece Beatrice. up with a plan to remedy the situation.
Don Pedro agrees to woo Hero on Claudio’s Meanwhile, Beatrice and Benedick admit their behalf at a masquerade ball. Don John, feelings to one another. Beatrice demands Don Pedro’s malevolent brother, uses the Benedick prove his love by challenging Claudio ball as an opportunity to stir up trouble. to a duel. Benedick reluctantly agrees. The misunderstanding is quickly resolved, and Claudio and Hero get engaged. Dogberry and Verges inform Leonato of Hero’s innocence. Claudio, thinking he caused Hero's With nothing to do in the week before the death, asks for Leonato’s forgiveness. Leonato wedding, Don Pedro plots to trick Beatrice and tells Claudio that there will be another wedding... Benedick into falling in love with each other.
Meanwhile, Don John schemes to ruin the wedding, with the help of Borachio.
The Watch, led by Dogberry and Verges, overhear Borachio boasting of Don John’s malicious plan to his companion, Conrade, and they are both arrested. 8 Bell Shakespeare
NATIONAL TOUR DATES
Orange Civic Theatre, Orange Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton 12–13 July 10 September
Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne Mackay Entertainment and 17–27 July Convention Centre, Mackay 12 September Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool 30 July Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Cairns 14 September Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo 3 August Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs 17 September State Theatre Centre of WA, Perth 7–10 August Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin 20 September Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany 13 August NORPA, Lismore 24–25 September Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury 15 August Capitol Theatre, Tamworth 27 September Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah 17 August Glasshouse Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie 30 September – 1 October Mildura Arts Centre, Mildura 21 August Civic Theatre, Newcastle 3 October Griffith Regional Theatre, Griffith 23 August Dubbo Regional Theatre, Dubbo 5 October Arts Theatre, Burnie 27 August Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga 8 October Theatre Royal, Hobart 29–31 August Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra 11–19 October HOTA, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast 4–5 September Sydney Opera House, Sydney 22 October – 24 November Empire Theatre, Toowoomba 7 September Much Ado About Nothing 9
SIGH NO MORE LADIES SIGH NO MORE MEN WERE DECEIVERS EVER
— Act 2, Scene 3
CAST
Beatrice Zindzi Okenyo Hero / Conrade Vivienne Awosoga Don Pedro / 1st Watchman Danny Ball Margaret / Verges Marissa Bennett Dogberry / Balthasar Mandy Bishop CREW Claudio / Borachio Will McDonald Antonio / Sexton Suzanne Pereira Touring Company Manager Nicole Eyles Benedick Duncan Ragg Deputy Stage Manager Bridget Samuel Don John / 2nd Watchman Paul Reichstein Assistant Stage Manager Sean Proude Leonato David Whitney Head Electrician Joe Cox Head Mechanist Hayley Stafford CREATIVE TEAM Head of Audio Nick Toll Head of Costume Hannah Lobelson Director James Evans Costume Cutter Robyn Fruend Designer Pip Runciman Costume Assistant Brooke Cooper-Scott Lighting Designer Niklas Pajanti Production Assistant Paisley Williams Composer & Sound Designer Andrée Greenwell Design Secondment Maeli Cherel Movement & Fight Director Nigel Poulton Voice & Text Coach Jess Chambers Set built by Sydney Theatre Company Lighting supplied by Chameleon Touring Systems Freight provided by ATS Logistics MUSICIANS
Oboe Angus Webster PHOTOGRAPHY Guitar Nick Meredith Bass Jessica Dunn Campaign imagery Pierre Toussaint Drumkit Luke Herbert Rehearsal imagery Prudence Upton 10 Bell Shakespeare
DIRECTOR'S ESSAY BY JAMES EVANS
Much Ado About Nothing is the original romantic couple there is a direct line from Beatrice comedy. But like all of Shakespeare’s comedies, and Benedick to Lizzie and Darcy to Harry and tragedy hovers dangerously close. Claudio’s Sally and dozens of Hollywood rom-com pairs. appalling treatment of Hero, her supposed Beatrice is an outsider – her mind is too broad death, and subsequent ‘rebirth’ sit disruptively for the world in which she finds herself. She loves alongside the sparkling wit of Beatrice and Benedick and sees potential in him, but first she Benedick, and the buffoonery of Dogberry and must wake him up and help him see how the Watch. Shakespeare was never constrained damaging the status quo has been for women. by the limitations of genre. Much Ado About Nothing is technically a comedy, insofar as This leads to another important tweak in the final scene people get married instead Shakespeare makes to his source material: of killed, but it is essentially a hybrid play. he expands the role of Don Pedro as Claudio’s ‘wingman’. An unfettered bro culture spawns The Hero/Claudio storyline is based on the work the misogyny that permeates this play, of other writers, including one of Shakespeare’s and Don Pedro is the bro-in-chief, leader of favourite sources, Matteo Bandello.Shakespeare the locker-room talk. It is Beatrice’s exhausting had already had success borrowing from task to try and dismantle this toxic structure, Bandello (see Romeo and Juliet), and the sometimes through humour: melodramatic tale of a rich nobleman who breaks off his wedding on false grounds was “I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow, too juicy to resist. than a man swear he loves me.”
As always, Shakespeare adapted his sources to ...and sometimes through anger: heighten the drama or increase the complexity of the characters. Bandello’s equivalent of “Manhood is melted into curtsies, Claudio breaks off the wedding by letter, while valour into compliment, and men are Shakespeare has his character do it publicly. only turned into tongue, and trim ones too. Bandello’s bad guy is motivated by his love He is now as valiant as Hercules for the Hero character, while Much Ado About that only tells a lie and swears it. I cannot Nothing’s Don John has no such interest. be a man with wishing, therefore I will Unrequited love is too simple a motive for die a woman with grieving.” Shakespeare’s villains.
Then there’s Beatrice and Benedick. The famous sparring lovers appear to be Shakespeare’s invention, and as the original ‘from-hate-to-love’ Much Ado About Nothing 11
Much Ado About Nothing is full of innovation, …Love is not love but it was also the end of an era for Shakespeare. Which alters when it alteration finds, Written in 1598, it was the last of his plays to Or bends with the remover to remove. employ the famous clown Will Kempe, whose O no! It is an ever-fixed mark performance as Dogberry doubtless inspired That looks on tempests and is Hamlet’s advice to the Players a couple of years later: “Let those that play your clowns speak never shaken… no more than is set down for them.” It was also Shakespeare, Sonnet 116 probably the last play Shakespeare’s company performed at their temporary premises, the Curtain, before they crossed the river, built the Globe and changed theatre forever.
In its interrogation of gender roles, Much Ado About Nothing reaches across 421 years and speaks directly to our time. And, in my opinion, it ends with hope. Not in a wide-eyed, naïve way, but with the hard-bitten weariness of experience. A hope that, despite all the ways we hurt each other, love is possible. It has to be. In fact, it may be the only thing that saves us. 12 Bell Shakespeare
COSTUME DESIGN
BY PIP RUNCIMAN BEATRICE CONRADE DOGBERRY Much Ado About Nothing 13
SET DESIGN
BY PIP RUNCIMAN 14 Bell Shakespeare
CREATIVE TEAM
JAMES EVANS PIP RUNCIMAN DIRECTOR DESIGNER
James Evans is Associate Director at Bell Pip Runciman has worked extensively across Shakespeare. He is a graduate of the National the creative industries for the past 17 years as Institute of Dramatic Art (Acting) and holds a a production designer, event designer, set and Master of Arts (English) from the University of costume designer and graphic artist. For Bell Sydney. For Bell Shakespeare James directed Shakespeare she was the designer for Just the 2018 national touring production of Julius Macbeth! and The Comedy of Errors. Her other Caesar, also directing productions of Macbeth, theatre credits include design for Sydney Theatre Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Company, Belvoir, State Theatre Company of Dream for young audiences. He has appeared in South Australia and Griffin Theatre Company. Richard 3, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Henry IV Pip was an associate designer for Priscilla: Queen and Actors At Work. His other theatre credits of the Desert: The Musical in Milan and San Paolo include Mercy for Festival of Dangerous Ideas/ and was scenic associate for the 60th Bell Shakespeare; Paul and Homebody/Kabul anniversary production of My Fair Lady for Opera for Belvoir; and Private Lives for Queensland Australia. Pip’s event credits include Festival Theatre. His television credits include Me and Designer for Sydney Festival from 2017 to 2019, My Monsters, Underbelly: The Golden Mile, East Event Designer for Sydney New Years Eve 2007 West 101 and Young Lions. James co-wrote and to 2009 and Closing Ceremony Designer for presented the acclaimed iPad App Starting the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Shakespeare (named Best New App by Apple Other cultural event credits include work on in 17 countries) and co-directed the ABC online White Night, Harvest Music Festival, Handa Opera series Shakespeare Unbound. He has been a on the Harbour, Vivid Sydney, Chinese New Year visiting artist at the University of San Diego, and the 2006 Commonwealth Games Ceremonies. as well as presenting a series of Shakespeare seminars in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Mumbai and Singapore. James’ work with Bell Shakespeare in juvenile detention centres is the subject of the feature film Kings of Baxter, winner of Best Australian Documentary at the 2017 Antenna Documentary Film Festival and the Supreme Jury Prize at the 2018 Melbourne Documentary Film Festival. Much Ado About Nothing 15
CREATIVE TEAM
NIKLAS PAJANTI ANDRÉE LIGHTING GREENWELL DESIGNER COMPOSER AND SOUND DESIGNER
Niklas Pajanti is an award-winning lighting Andrée Greenwell is a composer, vocalist and designer whose practice ranges across performance maker, who works across the contemporary art forms and performance styles Australian performing arts, screen and radio. including theatre, dance, opera, circus, musical For Bell Shakespeare she has worked on Venus theatre, comedy, events, exhibitions and public and Adonis for which she was awarded Best Score spaces. His work has toured nationally and to at the 2015 Green Room Awards. Her other theatre Europe, Scandinavia, North America and Asia. credits include work for Sydney Theatre Company, For Bell Shakespeare Niklas designed lighting Symphony Australia, Australian Dance Theatre, for The School for Wives. Other theatre credits Belvoir and Queensland Music Festival. As Artistic include work for Sydney Theatre Company, Director and Composer of Green Room Music Melbourne Theatre Company, Belvoir, Malthouse, (GRM), her work has been presented at Sydney Ilbijerri, Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide Opera House, Sydney Festival, Carriageworks, Festivals, Dark MOFO and Victorian Opera. Arts House and Arts Centre Melbourne. Her short Some theatre highlights include: Wild Duck, films Medusahead and Laquiem have been Angels in America (Belvoir); Rupert, A View from presented at 23 film festivals worldwide and the Bridge, Cosi (MTC); When Rain Stops Falling, broadcast in France, Holland and Australia. Spring Awakening (STC). Niklas’ dance credits Recent credits include Arrows I,II with writer include designs for Stephanie Lake Company, Hilary Bell, and the acclaimed experimental Dance North, Dancehouse, Chunky Move and concept album/podcast Listen to Me in response BalletLab. His extensive experience in exhibition to the crisis of violence against women. She holds and events lighting includes work for Melbourne a Doctorate of Creative Arts from the University Museum, State Library of Victoria, Commonwealth of Wollongong. Her recognition includes a NSW Games Arts Festival; and exhibitions for the Women in Arts Fellowship, an AETT travelling Australian Centre for the Moving Image, which scholarship, and an artist residency at Chateau were also toured to the Museum of Modern Art, de La Napoule, France. Andrée is the 2018-2019 New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum, recipient of the Australia Council for the Arts London. Film credits include The Eye of the Storm. Music Fellowship. He is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and has attended New York’s Broadway Lighting Design Master Classes. Niklas has won two Green Room Awards and has received numerous Helpmann Award and Sydney Theatre Award nominations for his lighting design. 16 Bell Shakespeare
CREATIVE TEAM
NIGEL POULTON JESS CHAMBERS MOVEMENT AND VOICE AND FIGHT DIRECTOR TEXT COACH
Nigel is an award-winning movement and Jess works internationally as a voice and dialect fight director, intimacy coordinator, weapons coach. She trained at London’s Central School specialist, stunt performer and actor. For Bell of Speech and Drama. For Bell Shakespeare she Shakespeare his credits include The Miser, was the voice coach for The Miser, Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, Richard 3, Othello, The Misanthrope, Antony and Cleopatra, The three productions of Hamlet, three productions Merchant Of Venice, Richard 3, Othello, Romeo of Romeo And Juliet, three productions of The And Juliet, Henry V and The Players. Her other Dream/A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, theatre credits include Mosquitoes, How To Rule Julius Caesar, King Lear, The Servant of Two The World, Power Plays, A Midsummer Night’s Masters, two productions of As You Like It, Dream and Battle Of Waterloo for Sydney Theatre Twelfth Night, and Wars of the Roses. In opera, Company; Matilda The Musical in Australia for The theatre and dance, Nigel’s credits include work Royal Shakespeare Company/Louise Withers and with The Metropolitan Opera, The Australian in London for The Royal Shakespeare Company; Ballet, New York City Ballet, Washington Opera, and Alice In Wonderland, Sweet Charity, You Never Opera Australia, Opera Queensland, Circus Oz, Can Tell and Pygmalion for Shaw Festival Theatre Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre (Canada). Her dialect coach credits include Company, Queensland Theatre, Belvoir,La Boite School of Rock for GWB Entertainment/The Really Theatre, Malthouse Theatre and Kooemba Jdarra. Useful Group; Jersey Boys for Rodney Rigby/TEG His film credits include Occupation 2, Pirates of Dainty/The Dodgers; Les Misérables for Cameron the Caribbean V, The Water Diviner, Winter’s Tale Mackintosh/Michael Cassel; and The Sound Of and The Bourne Legacy. His television credits Music for John Frost/The Really Useful Group. include Deadline Gallipoli, The Good Wife, Jess’s television credits include Frayed and Person of Interest, Boardwalk Empire, The The Unlisted, and her film credits include dialect Sopranos, 30 Rock and Law & Order: Criminal assistance on Hacksaw Ridge. Intent. Nigel is a practitioner of Vsevolod Meyerhold’s Theatrical Biomechanics system and is member and past President of the Society of Australian Fight Directors Inc, is a Certified Fight Director and Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors, and an Honorary Fight Director with Fight Directors Canada. Nigel has been awarded a Green Room Award for outstanding contribution to the stage.
18 Bell Shakespeare
CAST
ZINDZI OKENYO VIVIENNE BEATRICE AWOSOGA HERO / CONRADE
Zindzi Okenyo is a NIDA graduate. For Bell Vivienne graduated from NIDA last year. This is Shakespeare she has appeared in Antony and her first production with Bell Shakespeare. Her Cleopatra. Her other theatre credits include other theatre credits include Women on the Verge The Golden Age, Boys Will Be Boys, A History Of of a Nervous Breakdown, Venus in Fur, Dot And The Everything, Money Shots, Before/After and Blood Kangaroo, The Country Wife and Salem for NIDA. Wedding for Sydney Theatre Company; An Ideal Vivienne’s television credits include Neighbours Husband and Disgraced for Melbourne Theatre and The Time Of Our Lives, and her film credits Company; Prize Fighter for Sydney Festival/ include Peter Rabbit 2. Belvoir; La Traviata and Scorched for Belvoir; The Rasputin Affair and Good People for Ensemble Theatre; Gaybies for Darlinghurst Theatre Company; Masquerade for Griffin Theatre Company; The Girl In Tan Boots for Collide/Griffin Independent; Angels In America for Theatre Ink; and A Christmas Carol for Theatre Royal, Hobart. Her television credits include Playschool, Get Krack!n, Harrow, Janet King, Sisters, Hiding, Plonk, The Code and Wonderland, with film credits including The Very Excellent Mr Dundee and Little Monsters. Zindzi also performs her own music under the name OKENYO. Much Ado About Nothing 19
CAST
DANNY BALL MARISSA BENNETT DON PEDRO MARGARET / 1ST WATCHMAN / VERGES
Danny Ball is a 2016 graduate of NIDA. For Bell Marissa Bennett attended the Victorian Shakespeare he was a member of The Players College of the Arts. For Bell Shakespeare she in 2018. His other theatre credits include was a member of The Players in 2017. Her other Mercury Fur and The Serpent’s Teeth for Kings theatre credits include Diving for Pearls for Hit Cross Theatre; Love Me for Old 505; Blackrock Productions; Colder and Modern Herbal for Red for Seymour Centre; Speak English or Die for La Stitch Theatre; Crestfall for Citizen Theatre; Mama; Chuggington Christmas Singapore and Flesh Eating Tiger for 5 Pound Theatre; Living Pororo Live for X Systems International; Voices Museum of Erotic Women for Bottoms Up Unheard for the Australian Jewish Fertility Burlesque/Bernzerk Productions; Ambition for Network; and The Roaring Girl, Capricornia, Baggage Productions; Dark Light for Melbourne El Dorado and Another Country for NIDA. His Writers Theatre; Galilleo and Cosi for Complete television credits include Home And Away and Works Theatre Co; and Self Torture and Strenuous KICK, as well as TVCs for Youfoodz and AMP, Exercise, Breathe A Little and Call It Life and Two and his film credits include Present. for The Artisan Collective. Her television credits include Neighbours. 20 Bell Shakespeare
CAST
MANDY BISHOP WILL MCDONALD DOGBERRY CL AUDIO / BALTHASAR / BORACHIO
Mandy is a graduate of the Western Australia Will has performed in Romeo and Juliet for Bell Academy of Performing Arts and the University Shakespeare. His other theatre credits include of New England. For Bell Shakespeare she has Arcadia for Sydney Theatre Company; Bliss for previously worked as a Teaching Artist and was Malthouse/Belvoir; and The Drover's Wife for a member of The Players. Other theatre credits Belvoir. Will’s television credits include Home include eight productions of The Wharf Revue And Away and Riot, with his film credits including for Sydney Theatre Company; Optimism for The School. Malthouse/STC; The Happiness Box and Gerald McBoing Boing for Sydney Symphony Orchestra; Losing Louis for Ensemble Theatre; The Pillowman for Belvoir; and in New York: The Pill for La Mama/ Marla Mase and All The World’s A Pickle for Theatre 54. Her television credits include Drop Dead Weird, Chaperones, Law & Order: SVU, Review with Myles Barlow, Maximum Choppage and Wednesday Night Fever. Her film credits include Next Is The One, Venus Factory, Fresh Air and Project Greenlight. Mandy co-wrote/ produced/performed Prime Minister Julia Gillard in At Home With Julia – Best Comedy Series AACTA nomination and Equity Ensemble Award winner. Mandy’s work has also received recognition from the Logies, ASTRAs and AWGIES.
I HAD RATHER HEAR MY DOG BARK AT A CROW, THAN A MAN SWEAR HE LOVES ME.
— Act 1, Scene 1 Much Ado About Nothing 21
CAST
SUZANNE PEREIRA DUNCAN RAGG ANTONIO BENEDICK / SEXTON
Suzanne is a graduate of Actors Centre Australia Duncan is a graduate from NIDA and L’Ecole and Swinburne University of Technology. For Philippe Gaulier. This is his first production Bell Shakespeare she has appeared in Romeo with Bell Shakespeare. His theatre credits include And Juliet and has directed and been a member The Kitchen Sink for Ensemble Theatre; There Will of The Players. Her other theatre credits include, Be A Climax for Red Line Productions; Cock for as actor, The Crucible, Julius Caesar and Antony Auckland Live; The Removalists for Free Rain; and & Cleopatra for Sport for Jove; Air, Between the Antigone, The Love of Don Perlimplin for Belisa in Streetlight and The Moon and Platonov for the Garden and Cowboys #1/Action for Moonlight MopHead Productions; Stop Kiss for Unlikely Productions. Duncan’s film credits include 2:22, Productions; and Titus Andronicus for Cry Shadows, Night of the Lotus and Theo & Celeste. Havoc. As director, Suzanne’s credits include As a director his credits include This, This Is Mine The Sound of Waiting for Darlinghurst Theatre and Galle for The Corinthian Food Store and he Company; Sweet Phoebe for Jack Rabbit has assisted Judy Davis as a director on Faith Productions and Crazy Brave for Cross Pollinate Healer and The Dance of Death for Belvoir. He is Productions. On television Suzanne has appeared a recipient of the Marten Bequest and the Mike in Neighbours, and her short film credits include Walsh Fellowship. Starlight Stories and Breathe. Suzanne is a proud member of MEAA, and Chair of WITS - Women in Theatre & Screen: an organisation that passionately advocates, encourages and provides support for gender parity on Australian stage and screens. 22 Bell Shakespeare
CAST
PAUL REICHSTEIN DAVID WHITNEY DON JOHN LEONATO / 2ND WATCHMAN
Paul is a graduate of the Flinders University David is a NIDA graduate with over 35 years Drama Centre. For Bell Shakespeare he has experience on stage and screen. For Bell appeared in Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet Shakespeare he has appeared in Hamlet, Henry 4, and Pericles, and has directed and been a member The Duchess of Malfi, The Alchemist, As You Like It, of The Players. Other theatre credits include Macbeth, The Tempest and Romeo And Juliet. The Crucible for Sport for Jove; Dealer’s Choice Recent theatre credits include Saint Joan, for the State Theatre of South Australia; The Sign Cyrano de Bergerac and Mrs Warren’s Profession of the Seahorse for Windmill; Brideshead Revisited for Sydney Theatre Company; Luna Gale and for Adelaide’s Independent Theatre; Empire for Relatively Speaking for Ensemble Theatre; The Theatre in Decay; Terrorism for Theatre at Risk; Power of Yes for Belvoir; and Dracula and 1984 Falling Petals for Playbox; The Ecstatic Bible for for Shake & Stir Theatre Company. His musical Brink Productions; and Edward II for Tangent credits include West Side Story on Sydney Productions. Paul’s television credits include Harbour, The Merry Widow and My Fair Lady Blue Heelers, City Homicide and McLeod’s for Opera Australia; Funny Girl: The Musical in Daughters. His film credits include Disappearance Concert for Sydney Symphony Orchestra; Fiddler and Awoken. As a director his credits include All on The Roof, Rock of Ages, Damn Yankees!, is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 for Promise Monty Python’s Spamalot, Man of La Mancha, Adelaide. Paul has received a Churchill Fellowship Sunset Boulevard, They’re Playing Our Song, to explore the teaching of Shakespeare in prisons The Producers, The Phantom of the Opera, The with Shakespeare Behind Bars. Wizard of Oz, Chess and A Chorus Line. David’s recent television credits include A Place to Call Home, Blue Murder: Killer Cop, Love Child, Wonderland, Legend of the Seeker, Penelope K by The Way and Fatal Honeymoon. WHEN I SAID I WOULD DIE A BACHELOR, I DID NOT THINK I SHOULD LIVE TILL I WERE MARRIED.
— Act 2, Scene 3 Much Ado About Nothing 23 It feels good to be ethical
Teachers Mutual Bank is delighted to partner with Bell Shakespeare to support the Regional Teacher Mentorship.
Globally, 128 companies were named as a 2019 World’s Most Ethical Company,1 including 5 banks. And we’re one of them for the 6th year in a row!
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^Membership is open to citizens or permanent residents of Australia who are current or retired employees of the Australian education sector or family members of members of the Bank. 1 The Ethisphere Institute is a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practice. The World’s Most Ethical Company assessment is based upon the Ethisphere Institute’s Ethics Quotient (EQ) framework and honours superior achievements in transparency, integrity, ethics and compliance. Worlds Most Ethical Companies and ‘Ethisphere’ names and marks are registered trade marks of Ethisphere LLL. www.ethisphere.com Teachers Mutual Bank Limited ABN 30 087 650 459 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 238981 | 00711-CSR-0519-WME-148x210-BS
00711-CSR-0519-WME-A5-148x210-BS-1-1.indd 1 3/05/2019 4:33:10 PM Artist in Residence, Boggabilla Central School © Peter Green
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FOUNDING BENEFACTOR INFINITE SPACE
The late Anthony Gilbert AM Thank you to our Infinite Space Greg Hutchinson AM & capital campaign donors who Lynda Hutchinson PRINCIPAL BENEFACTOR are helping us build the future Sarah Lowe for Bell Shakespeare. Bruce Meagher & Greg Waters La Trobe Financial Peter & Felicia Mitchell “I could be bounded in a Serow-Neijts Family LIFE MEMBERS nutshell and count myself Kenneth Reed AM Helen Williams AC a king of infinite space…” Ilana Atlas Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2 John Bell AO OBE WE HAPPY FEW Tim Cox AO & Bryony Cox Special thanks to our We Happy Few THE DREAMERS Martin Dickson AM & Susie Dickson giving circle who supported us in Special thanks to our major donors Graham Froebel the early days and have come for giving us the space to dream: Virginia Henderson AM together to support the Infinite David Pumphrey Space Campaign. Ilana Atlas & Tony D'Aloisio AM
Dr Kimberly Cartwright & Sandra & Bill Burdett AM LEGACY GIFTS Mr Charles Littrell Tim Cox AO & Bryony Cox Kevin Cosgrave Michael S Diamond AM MBE We remember and honour those Martin Dickson AM & Susie Dickson Jim & Sue Dominguez who have generously supported Bell Lachlan & Rebecca Edwards Bill Hayward oAM & Alison Hayward Shakespeare through a bequest. Kathryn Greiner AO Eva & Timothy Pascoe Anne Loveridge Lady Potter AC CMRI The late Brian Timothy Carey Andrew Low David & Jill Pumphrey The late Anthony Gilbert AM Nick & Caroline Minogue Charlie & Sandy Shuetrim The late Catherine Guy Dr Anne Reeckmann & George & Sabrina Snow Dr Gary Holmes Ezekiel Solomon AM LEGACY CIRCLE Julia Ritchie Anonymous Ruth Ritchie We honour and thank our supporters Jann Skinner We would also like to thank our who have notified us they intend to Gene Tilbrook donors who contribute up to $1,000 leave a gift in their will, allowing us Alden Toevs & Judi Wolf – every gift makes a difference to to plan for the future with Anonymous what we are able to achieve. confidence and continue to touch the lives of millions of Australians. THE NOBLES Dr Brett Archer Linda Herd Keith Bayliss & Holly Mitchell Dr Anne Reeckmann & Dr Gary Andrew & Catherine Caro Holmes Philip CrutchfieldQC & Dr David Howell & Sarah Howell Amy Crutchfield Bruce and Natalie Kellett Diane & John Dunlop Jane Kunstler Shannon Finch Diane Matthews Natalie Hickey Anonymous (11) Justice François Kunc & Felicity Rourke Joe Hayes & Jacinta O'Meara Linda Herd Much Ado About Nothing 27
ARTISTIC Low Family Foundation Maureen Wheeler AO & DIRECTOR'S CIRCLE Annie and John Paterson Tony Wheeler AO Foundation Janet Whiting AM & Phil Lukies Thank you to our 2019 Artistic Neil & Rachel Sinden Anonymous (2) Director’s Circle members who are Andrew Sisson AO passionate about the process of Alden Toevs & Judi Wolf $1,000+ making theatre and are supporting Adrianne Anderson and observing this year’s mainstage $10,000+ Ilana Atlas & Tony D'Aloisio AM and education seasons. Susan Burns Helen Bauer & Helen Lynch AM Louise Christie Paul Bedbrook Jennifer Darin & Dennis Cooper Michael & Christine Clough The Staff of Bell Shakespeare Beau Deleuil Anne Loveridge Berg Family Foundation Lachlan & Rebecca Edwards Nick & Caroline Minogue Christy Boyce & Stephen Roberts Shannon Finch Roslyn Packer AC Katherine A Brazenor Jinnie & Ross Gavin Kenneth Reed AM Dr John Brookes David & Deborah Friedlander John B Reid AO & Janet C Binns Linda Herd Lynn Rainbow Reid AM Virginia Brown Andrew Low Jacqui Scheinberg James Browning Sam Sheppard Gene Tilbrook Jan Burnswoods Alden Toevs & Judi Wolf Sally White OAM Rick Burrows Anonymous John & Alison Cameron ANNUAL GIVING The Hon Joseph C Campbell QC & $5,000+ Jennifer Campbell We are incredibly grateful for our Dr Brett Archer John Cauchi AM SC & annual donors who contribute Fiona Archer Catherine Walker PSM essential funds, via Supporting Cast John Bell AO OBE & Anna Volska Jenny & Stephen Charles and Sharing Shakespeare, to the Janet Calvert-Jones George Clark cost of our core operations ensuring Phil Chronican Belinda Cogswell we are able to focus our efforts on Robert & Carmel Clark Collarts finding new ways to create, Michael S Diamond AM MBE Darren Cook collaborate, educate on the Lachlan & Rebecca Edwards Kevin Cosgrave mainstage and beyond including the David & Deborah Friedlander Russ & Rae Cottle life changing opportunities provided Linda Herd Jason Craig through our learning and outreach Julia & Nick Holder Professor A T Craswell programs nation-wide. Dr Sue Kesson Joanne & Sue Dalton Justice François Kunc & Coles Danziger Foundation $50,000+ Felicity Rourke Jennifer Darin & Dennis Cooper Tom & Elisabeth Karplus Dr Kathryn J Lovric & Dr Roger Allan Antony de Jong & Belinda Plotkin Sue Maple-Brown AM The Alexandra & Lloyd Martin Family Mark Dempsey & Jodi Steele Foundation John Dever $20,000+ Belinda Gibson & Jim Murphy Dr Antonio Di Dio Robert Albert AO & Libby Albert J R Nethercote Jane Diamond Philip Crutchfield QC & Alice Arnott Oppen OAM Jim & Sue Dominguez Amy Crutchfield David & Jill Pumphrey Diane & John Dunlop Jane Hansen & Paul Little AO Smith Charitable Fund Michael & Roslyn Dunn John Hindmarsh AM & Diane Sturrock Dr & Mrs B Dutta Rosanna Hindmarsh OAM Peter Sturrock Elizabeth Evatt AC Dr Anne Reeckmann & Dick & Sue Viney Richard Fisher AM & Diana Fisher Dr Gary Holmes Jackie Waterhouse Christopher Fox 28 Bell Shakespeare
Graham Froebel Catherine Parr & Paul Hattaway Jeanmaree Furtado & Scott Wilson Rodney Garrett QC Eva & Timothy Pascoe Justin Gardener Dr Mary-Jane Gething & Meredith Paynter Leigh & Adele Gordon Joe Sambrook Gill Perkins & Family Richard & Anna Green Jennifer Giles Julie Claridge & James Philips Sue Griffin Sharon Goldschmidt CMDR Warwick Potter RAN James Hall Louise Gourlay OAM J & K Preedy Elizabeth M Hamilton Mark & Patricia Grolman Andrew Price Lesley Harland Steven & Kristina Harvey Paul & Jacqueline Pryor Bruce Hartnett AM Joe Hayes & Jacinta O'Meara Dr Susan Pugh & Dr Anthony Harris Paul Hayes QC & Rachel Broderick Professor Michael Bennett Reverend Bill & The Hon Peter Heerey AM QC & Bill & Katharine Ranken Rosemary Huff-Johnston Sally Heerey Rodney & Donna Ravenscroft Fiona Hulton Jane Hemstritch Bryce Raworth & Isobel Williams Dr Malcom Irving AM Natalie Hickey Mary & Michael Regan Bruce & Natalie Kellett In memory of Armon Hicks Jnr Greg J Reinhardt AM Dr Angela Kirsner & Ken & Lilian Horler Robert Richardson Dr Richard Kirsner M Horne Ruth Ritchie Cheryl Lo Dr David Howell & Sarah Howell Mark & Anne Robertson Robin Low Mike Hutchinson Vio Samson Carol & Rod Mackenzie Vincent Jewell Keiko Schmeisser Douglas Meagher QC & John Colet School Lynne Sherwood & Rosemary Meagher Cam & Caroline Johnston the Late Tim Sherwood Keith Bayliss & Holly Mitchell Mathilde Kearney-Kibble Geoffrey A Starr National Australia Bank Peter & Elizabeth Kelly Penelope Seidler AM J Norman Michael Kingston The Peter Stirling Family Lady Potter AC John Knowles OAM Kristin Stubbins Debra Reinecke & Stuart Le May Jane Kunstler Douglas Sturkey CVO AM Heather Ridout AO Julie & Michael Landvogt Anne Swann & Robert Johanson Trudie Rogers Owen Lennie Alan & Jenny Talbot J Royle Bob Lim & Jennifer Ledgar David & Jenny Templeman Jane Sandilands Dr Kimberly Cartwright & Robert & Kyrenia Thomas Sam Sheppard Charles Littrell Mike Thompson Jann Skinner Richard & Elizabeth Longes John & Julie Waters Helen Swift & Les Neulinger Linda Lorenza The Vine Foundation Robin Syme AM & Rosemary Syme Adrian Lotrean & Jerome Tse Dr Peter White Margaret Tilley Brendan & Jodie Lyons George M Wilkins Suzanne & Ross Tzannes AM Ian & Wendy Macoun Helen Williams AC The Hon Justice Anthony Whealy & The Hon Ian MacPhee AO & Annabel Williamson Anne Whealy Julie MacPhee Anonymous (17) Peter Willis & Eleneth Woolley Carina Martin Marie Wright The Hon Jane Mathews AO $500+ Anonymous (10) Diane Matthews Loretta Barnard Julianne Maxwell Ken Barton & Linda Chung We would also like to thank our Banjo McLachlan & Paul Mahony Kay Beatton family of donors who generously Luke Merrick Dr Neal Blewett contributed up to $500. Every gift Dr Diana Milliner & Robert Milliner Yola & Steve Center makes a difference to what Dr Alana Mitchell Tim Cox AO & Bryony Cox we are able to achieve. Peter & Felicia Mitchell Eloise Curry Naylor-Stewart Ancillary Fund S Ford & C Curtis The annual gifts recognised have Patricia Novikoff Ann Darby been received in the last 12 months Kathy Olsen & Bruce Flood Annabel Dulhunty preceding the 28 June 2019. Much Ado About Nothing 29
BELL STAFF AND BOARD
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATION
Peter Evans Chief Operating Officer John Henderson Finance Manager Pradhan Dayaram EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Personnel Manager Susan Howard Payroll Officer Derek-Leigh Vocea Gill Perkins Finance Officer Nirali Parikh Accounts Assistant Amanda Carter
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Associate Director James Evans Artistic Administrator Imogen Gardam Anne Loveridge (Chair) Voice and Text Coach Jess Chambers Sally Basser Jane Caro AM Head of Education Joanna Erskine Philip Crutchfield QC Resident Artist In Education Huw McKinnon Lachlan Edwards Peter Evans Production Manager Ben Howlett Natalie Hickey Technical and Operations Manager Rebecca Huntley Andrew Hutchison Andrew Low Company Manager Eva Tandy Jason Murray Deputy Company Manager Emma White Gill Perkins Technical Supervisor Nick Toll Gene Tilbrook Education Programs Officer Monique Johnstone Alden Toevs Production Assistant Paisley Williams
Diyana Mansour (The Observership Program) Head of Development Debra Reinecke Major Gifts and Philanthropy Manager ARTISTIC ADVISORY PANEL Olivia Wynne Annual Giving Manager Sytske Hillenius Jane Caro AM Partnerships Executive Elle Hrobat Peter Evans Corporate Programs and Events Executive Rebecca Huntley Eliza Auld Fran Kelly Philanthropy Coordinator Lucy Matthews Benjamin Law Development Coordinator Harriet Lugsdin Sandra Levy Nakkiah Lui Head of Marketing Fiona Hulton Marketing and Communications Manager Sally Buckingham Marketing and Communications Coordinator Jennifer McGrath Ticketing and Data Manager Amelia Stubbs Education Marketing Sales Coordinator Elizabeth Carr Customer Service Assistant Alexandra Reynolds Marketing Assistant Julia McNamara 30 Bell Shakespeare
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
PREMIUM PARTNER MAJOR PARTNER
National Schools Partner
PROGRAM PARTNERS
Perth Season Partner Regional Teacher Mentorship Partner
COMPANY PARTNERS
Company Partner Accommodation Wine Partner Legal Partner Partner Melbourne
Accommodation Accommodation Catering Partner Exclusive Spirits Partner Canberra Partner Sydney Partner
Printing Partner Public Affairs Advisors Much Ado About Nothing 31
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
The Company is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
CORPORATE MEMBERS
AFG EY NAB PRIVATE
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
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INDUSTRY PARTNERS
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