William Shakespeare’s legacy has been kept alive by specialist theatre companies around the world; for Australia, that mantle goes to Bell Shakespeare. The national production will celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2025, sprouting an exciting three-play program of Shakespeare productions that’ll take over Sydney’s greatest stages both big and small.
For the first time in almost 30 years, the company will draw upon one of Shakespeare’s most political works, Coriolanus, as one of its major productions. Artistic Director Peter Evans retells the story of a ferocious Roman warrior taking revenge upon the city that exiled him, assisted by Logie winner Hazem Shammas and veteran Australian actor Peter Carroll.
Squeezed into the intimate Neilson Nutshell in Dawes Point, the production represents the scope of Bell Shakespeare’s 2025 Season, which will also reveal a new production of iconic war play Henry V and a return season for the highly acclaimed local production of Romeo & Juliet.
“Sometimes one want to not think about cruelty in the world,” said Evans when explaining why he has curated these three tales for the 2025 season.
“Sometimes the only civilised response is to make a musical, or present a comedy set in a magical land.”
The Artistic Director, who describes these productions as “sophisticated plays of the highest order,” has tapped visionary director Marion Potts to helm Henry V while Romeo & Juliet will build upon the lavish praise that’s already been heaped upon the production based off its 2023 season with the evocative Madeline Li as Juliet.
Given the current state of the world, it’s only apt that Bell Shakespeare focus on some of Shakespeare’s more intense and foreboding works. Conflict and chaos is a throughline for all three plays, as well as a somber recount of the human cost involved in tension both on a macro and micro scale.
In addition to the trio of productions, Bell Shakespeare will also host its lively script reading series, Play In A Day, across Australia’s east coast as well as the popular Sonnets & Semillon (a wine and Shakespeare night) and a series of panel sessions titled On Shakespeare, Power and Politics.
- Henry V will play at the Sydney Opera House from March 5 to April 5, 2025 with previews from March 1 through March 4
- Coriolanus will play at The Neilson Nutshell from June 25 to July 19, 2025 with previews from June 20 through June 24
- Romeo & Juliet will play at the Sydney Opera House from November 20 to December 7, 2025 with previews from November 18 through November 19
Bell Shakespeare 2025
Where: The Neilson Nutshell; 13A Hickson Rd, Dawes Point NSW 2000 | Sydney Opera House; Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000
When: Throughout 2025
Price: Tickets are sold in packages starting at $160 for a two-play package and $240 for a three-play package (under 35 year olds can grab tickets starting from $84 for a two-play package and $120 for three-play package)
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