Bell Shakespeare Archive

Review: Romeo and Juliet, Bell Shakespeare

Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Art thou Leonard Whiting, who Franco Zefferelli, director of the 1968 classic film, described as having “a magnificent face, gentle, melancholy, sweet, the kind of idealistic young man Romeo ought to be”? Art thou Leonardo Di …
Review: Tartuffe, The Hypocrite

Review: Tartuffe, The Hypocrite

Bell Shakespeare’s rollicking version of Moliere’s Tartuffe will have you laughing uncomfortably at the easy success of manipulation and deceit. Leon Ford shines as the wily, sanctimonious Tartuffe, the penniless stranger who, in the words of the sharp-tongued maid Dorine (played brilliantly by Kate …

Review: Henry 4

The unrepentant but charismatic reprobate Falstaff owns the stage in Bell Shakespeare’s latest work, Henry 4, now at the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre until May 26. John Bell has always wanted to play Falstaff, and it shows. He throws himself into the role with evident …
Review: The School for Wives

Review: The School for Wives

The Bell Shakespeare production of Molière’s The School For Wives is absolutely hilarious. Director Lee Lewis has brought a modern touch to this tale of infidelity in verse based on an excellent translation by Australian playwright Justin Fleming that conveys the wit …
Review: The Duchess of Malfi

Review: The Duchess of Malfi

Bell Shakespeare’s latest production,  The Duchess of Malfi, is an intense and evocative work. Its impact is partly due to excellent direction and acting, and partly to the vibrant adapted text from writers Ailsa Piper and Hugh Colman. The writers say they worked …