Hamlet comes to town

In what promises to be a visual and aural spectacular, the USQ Performance Centre's production of Hamlet will take place under the majestic Avenue of Trees, Queens Park, from March 9 to 14.

Showcasing the burgeoning talents of USQ's third-year acting students, Shakespeare's famous   tragedy tells the tale of a young prince who, by vowing to avenge his father's cowardly murder, sparks a series of events leading to a stunning conclusion.

Director Scott Alderdice said Shakespeare had woven the themes of revenge, justice, human mortality and unrequited love as well as the dichotomy between reality and illusion into a play which had stood the test of time by being just as popular and relevant in today's world as when it was written in the 16^th Century.

"Hamlet is arguably Shakespeare's best-known play and it is a fantastic opportunity for our acting students to extend their craft by acting in such a production,'' Mr Alderdice said.

Daniel White (last seen as the Waterseller in The Good Woman of Szechwan) will take the part of Hamlet, who fights his moral integrity to avenge his father's murder.

Emma Pearson (The Water Goddess in The Good Woman of Szechwan) plays Ophelia, who is torn from her relationship with Hamlet by the escalating political intrigue and interred in an asylum.

The production will also feature Scott Alderdice as Claudius, Hamlet's uncle who, after succeeding in murdering his brother without suspicion, replaces King Hamlet as ruler of Denmark. Rick has enjoyed success as television and stage actor in Melbourne and Sydney and with Toowoomba's Repertory Theatre Society.

Also appearing will be Performance Centre Director Kate Foy as the widowed Queen Gertrude who marries King Hamlet's brother Claudius, and Senior Lecturer in Acting Robert Ketton as Polonius, Claudius' chief advisor and father of Ophelia and Laertes.

Dozens of community groups will feature in a series of platform performances each evening prior to Hamlet taking to the stage.

"We hope this initial production of Hamlet will garner so much community interest it will sustain an annual Shakespearean festival in Toowoomba," Mr Alderdice said.

For bookings and further information contact the USQ Box Office on 4631 1111.

Deborah Marshall marshald@usq.edu.au