SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER WEATHER UPDATE!

‘The Tempest’ and the talk by Roly Sussex WILL go ahead.

Due to safety concerns caused by the weather, the swordplay demonstration by Prima Spada WILL NOT go ahead.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Prospera let it rip with the rain last night.

☔️ WEATHER UPDATE for THE TEMPEST ☔️

Prospera has been working her magic, and there is a chance of rain this weekend.

THE SHOW WILL GO ON unless the weather becomes unsafe for audience and cast.

Please bring your raincoat or umbrella!

🎟 TICKETING INFORMATION for ‘THE TEMPEST’ 🎟

STOP PRESS:
ONLINE BOOKINGS
CLOSING AT 5 PM

But fear not! Tickets will be available at the door! (Technically it’s a table).

Welcome to the 17th annual 4MBS Brisbane Shakespeare Festival!

Experience the world of the Bard in Brisbane!

Join us for two fully-staged professional performances of Shakespeare’s enchanting tragi-comedy THE TEMPEST in the lush Roma Street Parkland Amphitheatre. Come early for roving performers, swordplay, talks, free faceprinting and food trucks!


Festival overview (click to view events)


SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK
Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 November 2023

Roma Street Parkland Amphitheatre | 1 Parkland Blvd, Brisbane City

Experience the world of the Bard amongst the drama of Brisbane’s nature! 
Come early for roving performers, swordplay, talks, free face painting and tasty food trucks!

4.40pm SWORDPLAY DEMONSTRATION
Prima Spada School of Fence
En garde! Agente! Watch authentic Shakespearean swordplay by Prima Spada School of Fence and learn about the skills and weaponry used in historical fencing. Based on the work of European masters of the 16th and 17th centuries.

5.10pm SHAKESPEAREAN LANGUAGE TALK
Roly Sussex
Discover how Shakespeare’s way with words made him one of the most famous playwrights in history! Roland ‘Roly’ Sussex is Emeritus Professor of Applied Language Studies at UQ. He has been broadcasting language segments on ABC Radio in Queensland for 24 years. 

5.30pm THE TEMPEST
Be swept up in this story of shipwreck and magic. Experience Shakespeare’s enchanting tragi-comedy in the open air, directed by Xanthe Jones with an outstanding cast of Brisbane Shakespearean actors, including Louise Brehmer as Prospera, Andrew Hearle as Caliban, Brigitte Freeme as Ariel, and Ruby Gudenswager as Miranda. 2hrs with interval. 

Tickets:
$15 for Adults | FREE for Children / Full-time students / Companion Card Holders


OTHER EVENTS
Sunday 29 October 2023

More tickets just released!
‘NOT TO BE’
Film Screening/
Shakespeare Talk/Readings

Sun 29 Oct 11am (60 mins)
New Farm Cinemas,
701 Brunswick St

Brisbane theatre legend Bryan Nason AM staged readings of every Shakespeare play in his iconic Clayfield home of 70 years, but had never performed in a film. Until now. Watch his cinematic debut in NOT TO BE, a short film telling the story of an eccentric Shakespearean actor who decides that this performance will be his final curtain call.

Directed by Katrina Channells and co-written with Joe Hinchliffe, Not To Be has been officially selected for Hollywood Shortsfest, New York Indie Shorts Awards, Venezia Shorts Italy, and more. The screening will also include a short documentary on Bryan.

Local Shakespearean actors John McNeill (festival regular) and Nicky Whichelow (Royal Shakespeare Company) will then bring the Bard’s words to life in readings, alongside a discussion of Shakespeare’s role in society.

Tickets | $25
Bookings only; tickets not available at door.  

SHAKESPEARE’S KEYNOTE SPEECHES
Shakespeare Talk/Readings

Sun 29 Oct 3pm (60 mins)
Masonic Memorial Centre, 311 Ann St, Brisbane City

Join acclaimed actor Eugene Gilfedder for an exploration and recital of Shakespeare’s famous speeches ‘Once more unto the breach’, ‘Lend me your ears’, ‘Now is the Winter’, and ‘Tomorrow and tomorrow’. Eugene will also share the immortal soliloquies from Hamlet and much more, in the gothic atmosphere of the historic Masonic Memorial Centre.

Tickets | $25 


SHAKESPEARE ON RADIO

Tune into 4MBS Classic FM for these Shakespeare-themed music programs, and more! Listen in South East Queensland on 103.7FM, or livestream from anywhere in the world.

4MBS Subscribers can access full radio program details.
Become a 4MBS Subscriber.

Thu 26 Oct 2pm THURSDAY CONCERT HALL
The Tempest | Tchaikovsky’s symphonic poem 

Mon 30 Oct 8pm MAESTRO
The Merry Wives of Windsor | Overture to Nicolai’s opera

Fri 3 Nov 10am MORNING MUSIC
A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Mendelssohn’s overture

Fri 3 Nov 2pm FRIDAY CONCERT HALL
Shakespeare Around The World
An international lineup of composers’ treatments of Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, As You Like It, Henry V, Hamlet and Falstaff.

Sat 4 Nov 6:30am VIENNA AND BEYOND
Tempestuous Opera | Operas inspired by The Tempest

Sat 4 Nov 4pm SATURDAY FEATURE
The Bard of Avon | Music inspired by plays and sonnets


Festival at-a-glance (printable brochure)


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Images from previous festivals: