Shakespeare meets Star Trek in Eastbourne’s Bard in the Yard

Taking its inspiration from Star Trek, Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe’s Bard in the Yard production of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1 will boldly go on an Elizabethan adventure to the stars this summer.

Director Tanya Piejus explains, “Shakespearean plays are very man-heavy, so I was looking for a way to make cross-casting roles easy and believable. In the world of Star Trek, anyone can be anything, so a king becomes the captain of a starship and can then be male or female.

Star Trek writers have regularly drawn inspiration from Shakespeare for their story lines and characters, and setting a history play in the future was logical to me. Many of the themes of rebellion, politics, and backstreet shenanigans in Henry IV, Part 1 transfer comfortably to a sci-fi context.”

While the production design borrows most strongly from the original series of Star Trek with a 1960s vibe, the play will contain nods to The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, among others.

“There will be some Easter eggs for the hard core fans, plenty of alien favourites like

Klingons and Ferengi, and even a tribble or two,” says Piejus.

“I’m loving how the cast and crew have embraced the Star Trek theme while staying true to the spirit and poetry of Shakespeare’s text. Directing a mash-up of two of my favourite things has long been on my theatrical wish list, so it’s a dream come true to be able to set a Shakespeare play in space.”

Henry IV, Part 1 will be performed in

Muritai School Yard at 7.30pm from 23 to 25 February and 2 to 4 March.

Tickets are available now from Eventfinda and from Artisan Co-op Store in the Eastbourne Village in February.

Call 04 939 2366 www.jaglegal.co.nz