Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble Season 2019

Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble have launched their 2019 Season, with Artistic Director Rob Pensalfini announcing a full production of Henry IV, Part I directed by QSE veteran Rebecca Murphy. 2019 will see a new crop of Apprentices join QSE, and in April Dare to Share will showcase scenes, speeches, and techniques from the company’s training. Later in the year, QSE will once again present a brand new Australian work in some form, as the company has committed to doing for the past few years.

The season launch included a performance of Half Hour Hamlet, one of the Shakespeare’s Shorts, which was wonderfully funny and entertaining. QSE’s Shakespeare’s Shorts will continue in 2019 – able to tour to schools, festivals, workplaces and more – and also includes Instant Romeo & Juliet and Midsummer Mechanicals. Fast and fun, this kind of performance makes Shakespeare feel less intimidating if you’ve never encountered it before, something I wish we’d had more of in school.

Training and workshops to be held in 2019 allow the community to participate in the same training that shapes QSE’s ensemble, from Shakespeare to voice to political theatre, and the company will continue to share their methods with a variety of communities through their Education and Shakespeare Beyond programs. 2019 Training will once again include Linklater Voice Training, Theatre of the Oppressed, and Speaking Shakespeare In Your Own Voice, as well as the Young Actors Shakespeare Intensive for students in Grade 8-12.

QSE use Shakespeare as a platform for positive change through their Shakespeare Beyond programs, and will be continuing to work in a variety of youth and adult correctional centres through their Shakespeare Prison Project, as well as continuing their commitment to increasing the accessibility of theatre experiences through initiatives like A Night At The Theatre, and their Relaxed Performances.