You know what would make theatre even better? Having a picnic whilst watching it. Well my friend, this is your opportunity to do just that. This December and next January, Sport for Jove is celebrating its ten-year anniversary by taking theatre back to some of its origins, and putting on a season of two epic Shakespeare adaptations, dubbed ‘Rose Riot’.
The Hollow Crown and The Wars of the Roses will bring together and reimagine several of Shakespeare’s works, with the first combining the stories of Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V, and the second mixing Henry VI and Richard III.
But great shows don’t create themselves and Rose Riot’s artistic director, Damien Ryan has a lot to say on the works and history that inspired this project.
“It’s not just the extraordinary battles, political factionalism and its revolving door of new kings and queens, it is its sheer humanity that draws me to it,” says Ryan. “It is extravagant, violent, funny, fierce and very moving. It could be described as history’s greatest leadership spills.”
The plays work as two separate but connected stories. So you can see one or the other or both and still get the satisfaction of a complete story.
Among the award-winning company’s new cast are some seasoned vets, including the likes of James Lugton (from Macbeth and the Taming of the Shrew), Eloise Winestock (from Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It and The Tempest) and Bernadette Ryan (from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and As You Like It).
Tickets range from $32 to $42, with shows being held at Bella Vista Farm and Leura Everglades Gardens.