Shakespeare in Love

By Solar Chapel

SHEPHERD’S PURSE Theatre Company in Tyalgum has secured the rights from Disney Theatrical to stage the NSW premiere production of ‘Shakespeare In Love’, which has just been announced as the company’s offering for the annual Midwinter Shakespeare immersive dinner theatre event at the iconic Flutterbies Cottage Cafe, for a limited season this July. The production will be a NSW premiere, as well as an Australian Community Theatre premiere.

Adapted by Lee Hall from the Oscar winning screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, with a musical score by Paddy Cunneen, Shakespeare in Love brings all of the fun, adventure and romance of the hit 1998 movie vibrantly to life.

Over recent years, Tyalgum has established itself as one of the leading arts areas in the Tweed hinterland, with regular return performances from such artists as Broadway and West End leading man Hayden Tee, Australia’s first lady of the musical stage Rachael Beck, as well as the annual Tyalgum Dance Spectacular which brings Australia’s finest dancers to the Tweed region performing at the historic Tyalgum Hall. Shepherd’s Purse has been presenting annual Shakespeare plays in this unique and idyllic venue every year for almost eight years.

The most popular event on Tyalgum’s annual calendar, these themed nights encourage guests to dress up and get in the spirit, in the Elizabethan/medieval theme, with the evening’s offerings including a long table banquet dinner, mulled wine in goblets and the play.

Shepherd’s Purse Theatre Company were also the recent recipients of the Platinum Palm Award at the 2022 Gold Palm Theatre Awards for their production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ last July.

‘Shakespeare In Love’ tells the story of the struggling young playwright William Shakespeare, penniless and indebted to two demanding producers, Will is tormented by writer’s block until he meets the beautiful Viola de Lesseps, daughter of a wealthy merchant, whose fiery passion for poetry and drama leaves her secretly longing to be an actor.

Both are despondent when they learn that Viola’s father has promised her to the stuffy Lord Wessex in order to gain a title for their family. Under the veil of secrecy, Will and Viola’s passionate love affair becomes the basis of the very play he is writing – Romeo and Juliet. With opening night – and the wedding day – fast approaching, the plots race toward a parallel conclusion. Will it all work out in the end or are the two star-crossed lovers destined for tragedy?

Auditions are by appointment and are open till April. Head to www.shepherdspursetheatre.com. au or call 0488 713 241 to enquire.

This fortnight is your last chance to see Oscar nominees, and BAFTA winners. THE BANSHEES OF INISHIRIN has two options on Friday 17th for the FINAL screenings, and the runaway secret stand-out, powerfully poignant TO LESLIE, FINAL is this Saturday night.

Sunday 19th Special Single Screening + Filmmaker Panel Q&A: EVICTED! A MODERN ROMANCE (see Spotlight)

Winding up next Saturday, 25th are multi-awarded TÁR, starring Cate Blanchett and WHETŪ MĀRAMA – BRIGHT STAR a stunning film honouring Maori culture, not to be missed! Family fun with MY FAIRY TROUBLEMAKER continues until school holidays begin.

NEW FILMS NEXT WEEK: ALL THE BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED + FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS 2: ONE AND ALL + the long-awaited DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: HONOR AMONGST THIEVES SPECIAL PREVIEW PREMIER on Sunday 26th – come early and compete for prizes in your best costume! Live music on the balcony EVERY FRIDAY + SATURDAY nights are FREE to attend, no booking necessary, 6-8pm. Our resident sultry songstress, MOHINI COX, fills Friday nights with smooth stylings of jazz and blues, special guests, and a carefully curated cache of local talent weekly for the Balcony Sessions. Beloved BILL JACOBI, the region’s favourite Hillbilly-roots guitar/stomp-box maestro, is back on our Balcony for the Saturday 18th Sunset Soirée. With foot percussion, lap slide, open-tuned guitars and banjo, his folk to funk to hillbilly stomp will have you back in a flash for his future shows on the 3rd Saturday of the month. Next week, MANDY HAWKE will light up our balcony, a fresh face, and beautiful tunes to satisfy your soul. Book now for exciting, upcoming live shows in the theatre!

23/3 LIOR and DOMINI: Animal in Hiding tour

31/3 WILLIAM CRIGHTON and LIZ STRINGER

Modern Romance

11/6 TIM FREEDMAN with OLLIE THORPE in THE BLACKSTUMP DUO SPECIAL PREVIEW PREMIERE + Dress up comp

Minimum word length 4 letters. No plurals allowed. Every word must contain the centre letter (once only).

19 words: Good 28 words: Very good 38 words: Excellent

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

CLUES

1 An animal astronaut in a space movie

2 Quasimodo is the –back of Notre Dame

3 Sister and brother, Bindi and Bob

4 She marr ies Prince Eric, and has a daughter named Melody

5 A dwar f from Snow White who does not talk

6 The alligator in Penguins of Madagascar

7 E.T. stands for the what Terrestrial?

8 Elsa in Frozen is a Snow what?

TEST YOUR TWEED SHIRE KNOWLEDGE

1. Which celebration is held on 17th March?

2. When will Clean Up Australia Day be held on the Tweed?

3. What is the theme for International Women’s Day this year?

4. Which local bistro & bar was awarded a chef’s hat in the 2022 Australian Good Food Guide Awards? 5. Which local club will be hosting a Chilli Festival this month?

THE WEEKLY’S LOOK AT LIFE WITH PAUL DORIN

WORDSEARCH: TYPES OF GROUPS IN THE TWEED

Can be Reversed or Diagonal

LAST WEEK’S SUDOKU

Puzzle: behold, beholds, bled, blood, blooded, bloods, BLOODSHED, bold, bole,

Pet Of The Week

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