Pagans come to the Park

Director Scott Alderdice

Queens Park will be transformed into a bloodbath when the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) actors take to the stage for 2007 Shakespeare in Queens Park Festival (SiQP).

The 2007 production of Shakespeare's Macbeth promises to take the audience into a world of bloodlust and murder. Director Scott Alderdice said next years production will be unlike any other SiQP festival.

'I guess it's true to say that most people probably expect a Shakespeare production to be set in some recognisable historical era with a whole bunch of people waltzing round waving rapiers at each other and speaking poetry.

'That's fine – but I think our Macbeth is going to

be a pretty large step away from that tradition. We're already working on a massive soundtrack that will drive the story way out beyond the realm of human-ness.'

Planning for the annual Festival is in full swing. The cast has been selected, the three storey stage is under construction and the costumes have been designed.

Costume designer, Carolyn Taylor-Smith, has worked extensively on a large number of USQ productions including previous SiQP festivals, and said the wardrobe for Macbeth is incredible.

'The characters from Macbeth will be inspired and derived from the animal, and from mythical and fantastic creatures and beasts.

'The costumes will incorporate elements of luxury and finery; crystal and jewels in total contrast to the animal elements of feather, skin, fur, scale, claws, talons and horns.'

The 14-strong cast will perform seven shows over the 11 days of the Festival, and for the first time the Festival will also present Sonnets at Breakfast.

'Macbeth is a story drenched in power, and madness and apocalypse,' Director of Macbeth, Scott Alderdice said.

'We are capturing the wildness and sensuality of the Mediaeval pagan world, and fusing it with the music, images and technology of today.

'We're gonna rock the park.'

Tickets to Macbeth are available from the Empire Theatre 1300 655 299 and tickets to the Sonnets at Breakfast are available from the USQ Box Office 4631 1111.

Media Contact: Connie-Louise Alexander, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2977