LocalTheatreObservations

■ Monash Uni Student Theatre (MUST) presents Shakespeare in Love from June 13 at The Alexander Theatre, Monash University.

Directed by Yvonne Virsik, with set design by Nathan Burmeister, Shakespeare in Love is based on the screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard and adapted for the stage by Lee Hall. Music is by Paddy Cunneen.

This tongue-in-cheek reimagining of William Shakespeare is also regarded as a celebration of theatre itself.

Young Will has a bad case of writer's block. The deadline for his new play is fast approaching and he's in desperate need of inspiration. He finds it in Viola, whose fiery passion for poetry and drama leaves her secretly longing to be an actor.

Under the veil of secrecy, Will and Viola’s passionate love affair becomes the basis of the very play he is writing – his masterpiece, Romeo and Juliet.

With opening night fast approaching, plots collide in a rollicking tale of romance, mistaken identity, petty scheming, dramatic irony, lusty innuendo, and tempestuous wordplay.

Shakespeare in Love is described as 'a stirring love story, and at its heart, a joyful, hilarious love letter to live theatre – with plenty of knowing winks to the present.'

Performance Dates: June 1-3 at 7.30pm, Sat .1.30pm (Auslan interpreted performance)

Venue: The Alexander Theatre, 48 Exhibition Walk, Monash University, Clayton Run time: approx. 2 hrs 30 mins, including interval

Age Suitability: 13+

Adult Themes, Low Grade Violence, Sexual Assault

Enquiries: msa-must@monash.edu

- Cheryl Threadgold

■ The Miles Franklin Literary Award has announced 11 authors who have been included on the 2023 Longlist.

They will be competing for one of the most prominent literary prizes in Australia, with the winner also receiving $60,000.

The Miles Franklin Literary Award was established by feminist, and author of My Brilliant Career, Stella Maria Sarah Miles

Franklin

First presented in 1957, the Award celebrates novels of the highest literary merit that tell stories about Australian life, shining a light on some of the country’s most accomplished writers.

The 2023 Miles Franklin LiteraryAward longlist is:

■ Kgshak Akec, Hopeless Kingdom, UWA Publishing

■ RobbieArnott, Limberlost, Text Publishing

■ Jessica Au, Cold Enough for Snow, Giramondo Publishing

■ Shankari Chandran, Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens, Ultimo Press

■ Claire G Coleman, Enclave Hachette, Australia

■ George Haddad, Losing Face, University of Queensland Press

■ Pirooz Jafari, Forty Nights, Ultimo Press

■ Julie Janson, Madukka: The River Serpent, UWA Publishing

■ Yumna Kassab, The Lovers, Ultimo Press

■ Fiona Kelly, McGregor Iris, Pan Macmillan Australia

■ Adam Ouston, Waypoints, Puncher & Wattmann

■ Leading peak bodies including Palliative Care Australia have announced the broad national release of Live The Life You Please, a definitive, new feature documentary film about living and dying in Australia.

Event and Village Cinemas are supporting the national distribution of the film, which they say “everyone needs to see”.

It is produced by multi-award-winning filmmakers and impact film pioneers Mike Hill and Sue Collins.

- Di Rolle