Popular Shakespeare festival tours to Springfield

Shakespeare's classic love story Romeo and Juliet will unfold under the stars on the Education City Mini Oval, for the University of Southern Queensland's (USQ) 2008 Shakespeare in the Park Festival.

An early tragedy by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet is about two ‘star-cross'd lovers' whose untimely deaths ultimately unite their feuding families.

USQ Acting Lecturer and Director of Romeo and Juliet in 2008 Scott Alderice said cast members Kate Murphy and Chris Hunter were selected for the lead roles because of their strong performance chemistry.

'I worked with them on a number of video scenes and they had an extraordinary chemistry in the work they did together,' Mr Alderice said.

'She's a very extroverted and up-energy person and he is more dark and broody.

'They present an attractive and intriguing duo which would normally not be so strongly complimentary in their contrast.'

Kate has performed in musicals and theatre restaurants throughout her time at school and taught drama at The Drama Studio.

'I am really looking forward to the opportunity to play such an exciting role,' Kate said.

'I think it's fantastic to do something like this for the community.'

Chris began acting at the age of eight at the Helen O'Grady Children's Drama Academy. After performing in his high school musical Guys and Dolls Chris joined the Australian Acting Academy before being selected to study at USQ.

Mr Alderice said the performance would present a unique version of the classic love tale.

'It will be a different sort of Romeo and Juliet. So many people know the story and Baz Luhrmann's film is iconic in its approach.

'We had to think about what is special with the way we do it and what it means to be performing it in 2008.'

The selection of actors for the cast has also influenced the performance.

'Shakespeare wrote for a cast of mainly men, whereas we have a predominantly female cast.

'We have females playing characters that more traditionally have been males.

'The story is very driven by warriors and people fighting and standing up for and being willing to die for their clan.

'We had to work out how that could work with such a female-dominated group.

'We also had to think about performing in outdoor venues. It's a social experience; it's interactive, open and dynamic with the trees, clouds and shadows. It is more evocative than ever a theatre could be.'

The performance will have a similar outdoor, interactive atmosphere to plays during Shakespeare's era.

'Back when Shakespeare wrote it the audiences were encouraged to be a part of the performance.

'There will be a lot of music, dance, movement and some singing in Romeo and Juliet.

'Its going to take on its own quality and own personality.'

Romeo and Juliet will open in Springfield on Thursday 27 March and runs until Saturday 29 March 2008.

Tickets can be purchased from the Ipswich Civic Hall by phone (07) 3810 6100 or online at www.ipswichcivichall.com.au. Tickets can also be purchased on-site at the Festival Box Office which opens one hour prior to each performance.

Performances of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet will also take place in Queens Park, Toowoomba and at Fraser Coast. For further details, dates and bookings visit http://www.usq.edu.au/shakespeare/

Media Contact: Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0428 102 979