Lose yourself in a world where madcap, lovelorn characters mix with live music and song when UQ’s resident theatre company takes over the Roma Street Parkland this week.
The Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble, led by UQ lecturer Rob Pensalfini, will present As You Like It, one of the bard’s most musical plays.
The much-loved comedy centres around Rosalind, a confident young woman banished into the Forest of Arden by her aunt. Faithfully accompanied by her beloved cousin Celia, Rosalind disguises herself as a man to avoid detection – a decision which also enables her to get close to Orlando, the young man who has stolen her heart.
The production will take advantage of QSE’s growing reputation for the inclusion of live music and song in its shows.
“I play Touchstone, the witty court clown, but I have also written five or so songs for the play as well as some pre-show and intermission music with other QSE members,” Dr Pensalfini said.
UQ has provided QSE with extensive marketing and administrative support throughout its history, with the partnership allowing the development of a unique rehabilitation project called the Arts in Community Enhancement (ACE) program.
“The Arts in Community program ran in 2006 and 2009, and we worked with maximum security prisoners on several Shakespearean plays,” Dr Pensalfini said.
QSE’s production of As You Like It will put a new twist on the original, with director Paul Adams busy working with the cast to make new discoveries in the well-known text.
“There is always room to find something new, to breathe some fresh life into some very well-known characters,” Mr Adams said.
“Those who know the story will hopefully see something new and those experiencing it for the first time will hopefully be inspired to explore more Shakespeare.”
The play also has special significance for the company as it marked their first full-scale production in 2002.
QSE presents As You Like It at the Amphitheatre, Roma Street Parkland from October 8 to November 1.
Tickets are priced at $25 for adults and $15 for concessions and group bookings of 10 or more. Visit the QSE website for further details.
Media: Andrea Carne, Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble (0438 829 956, acarne@ipswich.qld.gov.au) or Trudi Saul at UQ Communications (trudi.saul@uqconnect.edu.au)
