Bell Shakespeare is an Australian theatre company specialising in the works of William Shakespeare, his contemporaries and other classics. Founded by actor John Bell and based in Sydney, it is Australia's only national theatre company. Apart from a program of performances, the company also conducts learning programs.
Founded by John Bell in 1990, Bell Shakespeare began as a theatre company dedicated to producing the plays of William Shakespeare in a way that was relevant and exciting to Australian audiences.[1] With the support of an enlightened philanthropist, the late Tony Gilbert AM, and a small number of imaginative corporate and private supporters, Bell Shakespeare was able to mount productions and attract audiences.[2]
Bell Shakespeare is listed as a Major Festival in the book Shakespeare Festivals Around the World.[3]
In 2016, the Australian Federal Government announced a $1 million contribution to the Bell Shakespeare capital campaign, which will help the Company secure a permanent home at Sydney's Pier 2/3, Walsh Bay.[4]
In 2012, John Bell announced the promotion of associate artistic director Peter Evans to the position of co-artistic director.[5] In 2015, John Bell retired from the company, and Peter Evans was made sole artistic director.[6] Bell's final play for the company was The Tempest, thought to be one of the last plays Shakespeare wrote alone.[7][8]
Description and governance
Bell Shakespeare is Australia's only national theatre company.[9][10] One of the company's artistic goals is "to use Shakespeare as Australians",[11] and Bell Shakespeare is well known for using contemporary styles to make Shakespeare accessible for modern audiences.[12]
Each year they perform a mainstage season consisting of three theatre productions, including an annual national tour, and a learning program to support students, teachers and communities nationally. Peter Evans has held the position of artistic director of Bell Shakespeare since 2015,[13] and the company's executive director is Gill Perkins.[14]
Learning
Bell Shakespeare has a range of learning opportunities for students and teachers in every Australian state and territory throughout the year. This includes in-school performances by The Players.[15] Inspired by the troupe of actors who appear in Hamlet, Bell Shakespeare's Players have been performing abridged adaptions of Shakespeare's works in schools since 1991.[2] A number of tailored workshops, masterclasses and residencies are also available to make Shakespeare accessible to students in an immersive and fun way. Each year, the company creates a theatre production specifically for students. Bell Shakespeare also provides professional learning for teachers.
A range of scholarships to support students and teachers are also provided. This includes the John Bell Scholarship, which provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students living in regional or remote areas who are interested in a career as a performer, and the regional teacher mentorship which is a fully funded year-long mentorship for teachers in regional, rural and remote Australian schools.[16]
Facilities
The main studio and theatre space is at Bell Shakespeare's premises is The Neilson Nutshell, which is available for hire.[17]
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