Editing Bell Shakespeare (section)

== Company history ==
Founded by [[John Bell (Australian actor)|John Bell]] in 1990, Bell Shakespeare began as a theatre company dedicated to producing the plays of William Shakespeare in a way that was relevant and exciting to Australian audiences.<ref>{{cite book|title=John Bell – The Time of My Life|author=Bell, John|publisher=Currency Press|year=2004|isbn=1-74114-134-6|location=Sydney}}</ref> With the support of an enlightened philanthropist, the late Tony Gilbert AM, and a small number of imaginative corporate and private supporters, Bell Shakespeare was able to mount productions and attract audiences.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/about-us/history/|title=History Of Bell Shakespeare – Bell Shakespeare|work=Bell Shakespeare|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>

Bell Shakespeare is listed as a Major Festival in the book ''Shakespeare Festivals Around the World''.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Shakespeare festivals around the world|year=2004|publisher=[[Xlibris]]|last=Gregio|first=Marcus D.|isbn=1413459072|oclc=85474058}}</ref>

In 2016, the [[Australian Federal Government]] announced a $1 million contribution to the Bell Shakespeare capital campaign, which will help the Company secure a permanent home at Sydney's Pier 2/3, [[Walsh Bay]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.walshbay.com.au/news/277-belle-shakespear-new-home-at-pier-2-3|title=Belle Shakespear. New Home at Pier 2/3|last=WBPA|website=www.walshbay.com.au|access-date=2018-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515112538/https://www.walshbay.com.au/news/277-belle-shakespear-new-home-at-pier-2-3|archive-date=15 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2012, John Bell announced the promotion of associate artistic director Peter Evans to the position of co-artistic director.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dow|first=Steve|title=Almost 'fat enough', Bell takes on ''Falstaff'' and hints at retirement|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/almost-fat-enough-bell-takes-on-falstaff-and-hints-at-retirement-20121004-2710o.html|date=4 October 2012|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> In 2015, John Bell retired from the company, and Peter Evans was made sole artistic director.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/about-us/artistic-directors/|title=Artistic Director – Bell Shakespeare|work=Bell Shakespeare|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>