Nelson theatregoers are in for a large dose of Shakespearean hilarity in January when two shows featuring the The Bard’s wit go on show at Fairfield House.
First up is Piece of Work Productions debut show at Fairfield House with its presentation of the The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) and then the award-winning professional troupe The Barden Party returns for two nights of its new ‘rockabilly musical retelling’ of Much Ado About Nothing.
Piece of Work Productions’ Anton Bentley says that he wanted to give Nelson audiences something fun, fantastic and frivolous.
“We’ve had so many cancellations over the past two years, so I wanted to provide some much-needed entertainment.”
Anton’s initial debut production was going to be Children of the Poor in 2020, but unfortunately this was cancelled one week out from opening night due to changing Alert Levels.
While Anton says he could have rescheduled, only a month later lead actor Brodie Seelan was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia and had to undergo treatment including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transport.
The irreverent fast-paced play romps through all 37 of the Bard’s plays in 97 minutes as three madcap actors in tights weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies in one outrageously wild ride.
“It will leave the audience breathless and helpless with laughter.”
The cast of three comprises local actors Matthew Edgar, Imogen Vlugter and Myles Smalley. With lightning-fast costume changes, each actor plays a myriad of roles as they create mayhem with Shakespeare’s plots.
The Barden Party director Laura Irish is also excited to bring their new show back to Fairfield with a new cast, a new show and already a sellout season across the country.
“It’s been an amazing journey with our show which was created in a Nelson backyard during Covid. Now with its second season, we have shows from Invercargill to Auckland with an incredibly talented cast. We can’t wait to share it with Nelson audiences.”
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) performs at Fairfield House, Nelson Monday 9 to Friday 13 January 2023 at 6.30pm and The Barden Party’s Much Ado About Nothing is on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 of January. For tickets go to fairfieldnelson.org.nz/events/ or door sales are available.
