The Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble at The Gap Farmers' Market

The Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble at The Gap Farmers' Market

Post
Subscribe

Posted 2016-04-25 by Andrea Bairdfollow

Sun 24 Apr 2016

All over the world this weekend William Shakespeare has been popping up in unexpected places. To honour four centuries of the enduring legacy of one of our greatest playwrights, there has been a global celebration in the form of performances, movies and discussions. I happened to be shopping with my family at our local Farmer's Market at The Gap when Romeo and Juliet burst forth upon the stage, just next to the pesticide free cucumbers.





The Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble did a magnificent job of making this complex and influential work accessible to young and old. They condensed the classic love story from a drama filled two to three hours, to a lovingly playful half hour that showed respect to the original text while having a laugh at the tragic story line.

The Gap locals, pushing baskets brimming with fresh herbs, crisp Fuji apples, a trio of zuchinnis for just $2 and a nitrate free leg of pork, grabbed their coffees, acai bowls and german sausages and headed to the shady grassy patch on Hilder Rd State School oval to watch the tragedy unfold.





This was theatre at its best - we were close enough to see the love in Juliet's eyes and to feel the thud when Romeo hit the ground after drinking poison. The actors encouraged us to join in and make a bit of noise and the kiddies loved this. From the crowd gathered, it was obvious The Gap residents appreciate their literature, and are partial to a bit of culture while browsing the fruit and vegetables.



QSE is a professional, Brisbane based theatre company who are dedicated to keeping the work of the Bard alive and presenting it to the public. Their Shakespeare's Shorts are "fast and funny half-hour versions of the original scripts" and are performed by trained, experienced actors. I loved the sound of their "Half-Hour Hamlet" - a version which "takes out all the procrastination".

If you feel like your community or event could do with a bit of drama that makes you laugh, why not get the Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble along. The QSE can adapt His Shorts to fit all sizes and ages, need no mics, bring their own props and costumes, and need only 5m x 5m performance space.

They certainly made my weekly shop a lot more stimulating!



#food_wine
#markets
#shopping
#theatre
#april
!date 24/04/2016 -- 24/04/2016
%wnbrisbane
187459 - 2023-06-16 03:00:24

Tags

Free
Outdoor
Festivals
Music
Markets
Nightlife
Fundraisers
Community
Family_friendly
Arts_culture
Food_drink
Educational
Shopping_markets
Theatre_shows
Holiday
Copyright 2024 OatLabs ABN 18113479226