There is a long tradition in Sydney of outdoor productions of the Bard’s plays. For many years the late David MacSwann presented very accomplished summer seasons of Shakespeare at Balmoral Beach. Theatregoers would take a picnic and some nice beverages, spread themselves out on blankets and enjoy seeing the Bard’s plays being performed under and around the Rotunda at Balmoral.
This year the exciting theatre company Bard On The Beach has taken over David MacSwann’s mantle and commenced a series of open air productions at Balmoral Beach with the support of Mosman Council.
It is a bit of a change of style for the Company who last year performed a season of A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream to schools and community groups through New South Wales, Canberra and Queensland during October and November last year.
The Company’s first production at Balmoral is two plays in rep, Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Hamlet, and Tom Stoppard’s comic take on the masterpiece, Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead, both directed and produced by Patricia and Kyle Rowling. The tagline for the productions is ‘who do you trust when you can trust no-one?’.
The plays will run alternately up until the 28th February at the venue. Performances will take place every Friday and Saturday night at 8pm and Sunday nights at 7pm.
As was the case with David MacSwann’s productions there is no entry charge. No tickets are sold so it is best to get there early to find a good spot. At the end of the show theatregoers are asked to make a donation, $20 is the preferred amount, which goes to giving the actors some remuneration for their efforts.
Having enjoyed numerous Bard productions at Balmoral Beach over the years care of David MacSwann I can testify that the sea breeze picks up at night and it is best to take a jacket with you on the night.
The producers have advised that a wet weather line has been set up if the weather is a bit iffy. The phone line will operate from one hour prior to the performance on 0414 906 734.
There are a few different options in getting to the venue. By car, drive along Military Road to Mosman Junction and turn left down Raglan St. Then take another left at the bottom of Raglan St. into the Esplanade and you will be able to see the Band Rotunda. Balmoral Beach does have metered parking. By bus, one can take the 247 from Wynyard which will take you to Mosman Junction, then its a walk down Raglan Street to the Esplanade. By ferry, there is a ferry service that runs from Circular Quay to Mosman.
For their next production, the Company will head to the Northern Beaches where its production of Hamlet will play at the Dunbar Park Avalon from the 4th to 6th March care of Pittwater Council and The Spectrum Now Festival.
For more information about the Bard On The Beach Theatre Company visit the Company’s website – http://www.bardonthebeach.net/