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Pistols at the ready Brisbane, it’s time for a showdown

The Two Gentlemen of Verona – Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble

The wait is almost over as Queensland Shakespeare Ensembles latest production, The Two Gentlemen of Verona opens at Brisbane’s Roma Street Parklands this week, with a notable twist.

Another contemporary vision and slick production can be expected from QSE as one of Shakespeare’s earliest comedies is transformed into the days of fortune and adventure in the Wild, Wild West.

The ensemble of ten, perform under the direction of QSE Founder Rob Pensalfini, along with live musicians and a very talented dog. Perhaps most notably in the cast is the presence of one alumni member of Pensalfini’s Prison Project. The award winning community engagement project that brought expression, dedication and emotional awareness into prisons through teaching and performing Shakespeare’s plays.

“I like the play’s rawness, its reckless energy. It is perfectly suited to the ‘Western’ or more accurately ‘Cowpunk’ genre which has informed our work in this production”, says Pensalfini.

“For each production I do, I choose the play that suits the make-up of the ensemble. This year the ensemble was right for the energy and roughness of Two Gentlemen“, Pensalfini explained.

Pensalfini’s reputation for understanding the importance of the text comes from his strong linguistics background. He is a senior lecturer in drama and linguistics at the University of Queensland. Pensalfini’s ensemble is ‘fully committed to words’.

In the versatile and delightful Amphitheatre at Roma Street Parklands this is a winter warmer, not to be missed.

Read our previous interview with Pensalfini here

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Presented by: Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble
Season: 15 August– 2 September
Venue: The Amphitheatre, Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane
Bookings: (07) 3365 3269
More Information: www.qldshakespeare.org

Louise Hales

Lou has worked in Theatre in Australia, Ireland and London. She is a Youth Ambassador for Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre, an alumni member of the Australian Voices and a director and producer of independent theatre and film. With experience in acting, singing, physical theatre, technical theatre, front of house and stage management she is a devotee to the stage. Lou has studied at UQ, QUT and University College Dublin but is currently completing a bachelor of film and screen media production at Griffith University in Brisbane.