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Bell Shakespeare
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{{short description|Australian theatre company}} {{for|Bell's Shakespeare|John Bell (publisher)}} {{EngvarB|date=April 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}} {{Infobox company | name = Bell Shakespeare | founded = 1990 | founder = [[John Bell (Australian actor)|John Bell]] | hq_location_city = [[Sydney]], Australia | key_people = Peter Evans (artistic director), Gill Perkins (executive director) | products = Theatre productions, learning programs | website = [https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/ bellshakespeare.com.au] }} '''Bell Shakespeare''' is an Australian theatre company specialising in the works of [[William Shakespeare]], his contemporaries and other classics. Founded by actor [[John Bell (Australian actor)|John Bell]] and based in [[Sydney]], it is Australia's only national theatre company. Apart from a program of performances, the company also conducts learning programs. == 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 β 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 β 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 β Bell Shakespeare|work=Bell Shakespeare|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> ==Description and governance== Bell Shakespeare is Australia's only national theatre company.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://stagecenta.com/companyid/601/CompanyShows.aspx|title=Bell Shakespeare shows|website=StageCenta|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ampag.com.au/brand/bell-shakespeare|title=Bell Shakespeare|website=www.ampag.com.au|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> One of the company's artistic goals is "to use Shakespeare as Australians",<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/about-us/vision/|title=Vision, Mission & Artistic Goals|work=Bell Shakespeare|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> and Bell Shakespeare is well known for using contemporary styles to make Shakespeare accessible for modern audiences.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/bell-shakespeare-turns-1664-classic-tartuffe-into-a-modern-comic-masterpiece/news-story/1cf495b98a4b1cc7059083025e005d3e|title=Bell Shakespeare turns 1664 classic ''Tartuffe'' into a modern comic masterpiece|last=Litson|first=Jo|date=2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref> Each year they perform a mainstage season consisting of three theatre productions, including an annual national tour, and a learning program to support students, teachers and communities nationally. Bell Shakespeare's artistic director is{{when|date=January 2025}} Peter Evans<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/arts/after-a-long-handover-bell-shakespeare-artistic-director-peter-evans-reveals-his-first-season/news-story/5cd79bb6d32a06345fc0ad3bf235c49e|title=After a long handover Bell Shakespeare artistic director Peter Evans reveals his first season|last=Hook|first=Chris|date=2015|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref> and the Executive Director is Gill Perkins.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/about-us/staff-board/|title=Staff & Board|work=Bell Shakespeare|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> == Learning == Bell Shakespeare has a range of learning opportunities for students and teachers in every Australian state and territory throughout the year. This includes in-school performances by The Players.<ref>[https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/whats-on/educations/the-players/ In-school performances], bellshakespeare.com.au</ref> Inspired by the troupe of actors who appear in ''[[Hamlet]]'', Bell Shakespeare's Players have been performing abridged adaptions of Shakespeare's works in schools since 1991.<ref name=":0" /> A number of tailored workshops, masterclasses and residencies are also available to make Shakespeare accessible to students in an immersive and fun way. Each year, the company creates a theatre production specifically for students. Bell Shakespeare also provides professional learning for teachers. A range of scholarships to support students and teachers are also provided. This includes the John Bell Scholarship, which provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students living in regional or remote areas who are interested in a career as a performer, and the regional teacher mentorship which is a fully funded year-long mentorship for teachers in regional, rural and remote Australian schools.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-08/teachers-learn-more-hands-on-approach-to-shakespeare/9629540|title='Shakespeare intended it be performed': The key to helping children understand his texts|date=2018-04-08|work=ABC News|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> ==Facilities== <!---redirects for Neilson Nutshell target this section---> The main studio and theatre space is at Bell Shakespeare's premises is The Neilson Nutshell, which is available for hire.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Neilson Nutshell | website=Bell Shakespeare | date=20 April 2023 | url=https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/the-neilson-nutshell | access-date=7 January 2025}}</ref> == Productions == ===Recent productions=== {{columns-list|colwidth=30em| * ''[[Hamlet]]'' (2015), directed by Damien Ryan and starring [[Josh McConville]]. * ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' (2016), directed by Peter Evans and starring [[Kelly Paterniti]] and [[Alex Williams (actor)|Alex Williams]]. * ''[[Othello]]'' (2016), directed by Peter Evans and starring Ray Chong Nee and Yalin Ozucelik. * ''[[Les Femmes Savantes|The Literati]]'' (2016), directed by Lee Lewis and starring Kate Mulvany and [[Miranda Tapsell]]. * ''[[Richard III (play)|Richard 3]]'' (2017), directed by Peter Evans and starring [[Kate Mulvany]]. * ''[[The Merchant of Venice|The Merchant Of Venice]]'' (2017), directed by [[Anne-Louise Sarks]] and starring [[Mitchell Butel]] and [[Jessica Tovey]]. * ''[[Antony and Cleopatra]]'' (2018), directed by Peter Evans and starring [[Catherine McClements]]. * ''[[Julius Caesar (play)|Julius Caesar]]'' (2018), directed by James Evans and starring Kenneth Ransom. * ''[[The Misanthrope]]'' (2018), directed by Lee Lewis and starring [[Danielle Cormack]]. * ''[[The Miser]]'' (2019), directed by Peter Evans and starring John Bell. * ''[[Much Ado About Nothing]]'' (2019), directed by James Evans and starring [[Okenyo|Zindzi Okenyo]]. * ''[[Titus Andronicus]]'' (2019), directed by [[Adena Jacobs]] and starring Jane Montgomery Griffiths and [[Melita Jurisic]]. * ''[[Hamlet]]'' (2020), directed by Peter Evans and starring Harriet Gordon-Anderson and [[Lisa McCune]]. * ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]'' (2021), directed by Peter Evans and starring Jane Montgomery Griffiths and [[Gabrielle Scawthorn]]. * ''[[The Lovers (musical)|The Lovers]]'' (2022), Bell Shakespeare's first musical, based on ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]'', directed by Shaun Rennie. }} ===Production history by play=== List of Bell Shakespeare productions (not including Learning productions or special events):<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/organisation/590|title=Bell Shakespeare|website=AusStage|access-date=24 February 2017}}</ref> ====Shakespeare==== {{columns-list|colwidth=30em| * ''[[Antony and Cleopatra]]'' (2001, 2018) *''[[As You Like It]]'' (2003, 2018, 2015) *''[[The Comedy of Errors]]'' (2002, 2013) *''[[Coriolanus]]'' (1996) *''[[Hamlet]]'' (1991, 2003, 2008, 2015, 2020) *''Henry IV'' [''[[Henry IV, Part 1]]''; ''[[Henry IV, Part 2]]''] (1988, 2013) *''[[Henry V (play)|Henry V]]'' (1999, 2014) *''[[Julius Caesar (play)|Julius Caesar]]'' (2001, 2011, 2018) *''[[King Lear]]'' (1998, 2010) *''[[Macbeth]]'' (1994, 1997, 2007, 2012, 2023) *''[[Measure for Measure]]'' (2005) *''[[The Merchant of Venice]]'' (1991, 1999, 2006, 2017) *''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]'' (2000, 2004, 2014, 2021) *''[[Much Ado About Nothing]]'' (1996, 2000, 2011, 2018) *''[[Othello]]'' (2007, 2016) *''[[Pericles, Prince of Tyre|Pericles]]'' (1995, 2009) *''[[Richard III (play)|Richard III]]'' (1992, 2002, 2017) *''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' (1993, 1999, 2006, 2016, 2023) *''[[The Taming of the Shrew]]'' (1994, 2002, 2009) *''[[The Tempest]]'' (1997, 2001, 2006, 2015) *''[[Titus Andronicus]]'' (2019) *''[[Troilus and Cressida]]'' (2000) *''[[Twelfth Night]]'' (1995, 2004, 2010, 2023) *''[[The Two Gentlemen of Verona]]'' (2005) *''[[The Wars of the Roses (adaptation)|Wars of the Roses]]'' [''Henry VI, Part 1''; ''Henry VI, Part 2''; ''Henry VI, Part 3''] (2005) *''[[The Winter's Tale]]'' (1997, 2014) *''[[Venus and Adonis (Shakespeare poem)|Venus and Adonis]]'' (2008) }} ====Other==== {{columns-list|colwidth=30em| *''[[Long Day's Journey into Night]]'' (1999) *''[[The Dance of Death (Strindberg play)|Dance of Death]]'' (2000) *''Shakespeare's R & J'' (2001) *''[[The Servant of Two Masters]]'' (2003) *''Moby Dick'' (2005) *''[[The Government Inspector]]'' (2007) *''Anatomy Titus Fall of Rome: A Shakespeare Commentary'' (2008) *''[[The Alchemist (play)|The Alchemist]]'' (2009) *''[[Doctor Faustus (play)|Faustus]]'' (2011) *''[[The Duchess of Malfi]]'' (2012) *''[[The School for Wives]]'' (2012) *''[[PhΓ¨dre]]'' (2013) *''[[Tartuffe]]'' (2014) *''The Literati'' (2016) *''[[The Misanthrope]]'' (2018) *''[[The Miser]]'' (2019) *''One Man in His Time'' (2021) *''In a Nutshell'' (2022) *''[[The Lovers (musical)|The Lovers]]'' (2022), based on ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' }} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://collections.artscentremelbourne.com.au/paminter/imu.php?request=browse&irn=1895#listing Bell Shakespeare collection] at the [[Performing Arts Collection]], [[Arts Centre Melbourne]] {{authority control}} [[Category:Shakespearean theatre companies in Australia]] [[Category:1990 establishments in Australia]] [[Category:Theatre in Sydney]]
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