By Tania Phillips
In a kingdom soon to be divided plays out the tragedy of Shakespeare’s King Lear.
However, this month that Kingdom will be the grounds of the Granite Belt Brewery and the King, his daughters and the dukes involved will be well-known identities from across the region.
After a two-year hiatus Stanthorpe Little Theatres ever-popular Shakespeare Under the Stars will return with arguably one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies at their brand new location.
It is the 16th time this annual event has been held by the Little Theatre and group president Shannon Cox is understandably excited to have it back.
Shannon says a lot of work has gone into the event with popular director Chris Desgrande taking on the dual roles of director and star – stepping into the footsteps of such great actors as John Gielgud, Ian McKellan and Michael Gambon.
“It’s quite exciting for us because we got a grant for Shakespeare Under the Stars – it’s the first time we’ve got a sizeable grant,” she said.
The money has gone into both promoting and staging the event including bringing someone in to do the costuming, along with professional staging and lighting.
“It’s really amped up from what we normally offer and we have such a talented crew that do Shakespeare – this is our 16th year that we’ve been doing it. It feels wonderful to be able to share this as accommodation packages and share this with the greater area of Queensland.
“We didn’t get to it last year and for reasons outside our control we didn’t get to do it in 2019 so we’ve had a two-year break so it’s very exciting to be treading the board and to have all the crew again. We have a new venue – we’re working with the Granite Brewery so it’s a new stage area and new menus so it’s a completely different space to be operating in and it’s exciting.”
She said to celebrate they are doing the great tragedy – King Lear which has a body count almost as high as a Tarantino movie.
“It’s a bit exciting – we have a weapons master who has brought in all of these replica swords, daggers and spears and we’re learning how to do accurate sword-fighting for the time,” Shannon enthused.
“We’ve got a Doctor on site and trauma kits – we’re not going to kill each other but just in case……
“Doing King Lear is a bit of a dream come true for our director because he’s directing and performing as King Lear and he’s been wanting to do it for years.”
The production was originally set down for last year but Covid put paid to that but it means the cast and crew have been working hard for more than a year preparing for this series of performances being hosted over two weekends.
Ticket price includes complimentary bus shuttle from central Stanthorpe pick up spots and a glossy souvenir eight-page program. Supper is available at Granite Belt Brewery before the show.
Accommodation is available onsite at the Granite Belt Brewery. For more information and to book tickets head to www.stanthorpelittletheatre.org.au/shakespeare-under-the-stars/.
