OBSERVER: The Barden Party
After a highly successful international 90-show tour spanning New Zealand and Australia, The Barden Party is bringing two award-winning productions to Chapel Off Chapel from May 26-June 1.
Known for their bold musical reimagining of Shakespeare they will present a double-bill of Macbeth – A Sassy, Sexy, Bluegrass Twist with Romeo and Juliet. Both tales are reimagined with live music and performances, whilst Macbeth presents a gender-swapped take on the Scottish play.
In this retelling, all the “kings” are played by Queens – powerful women commanding the stage with grit, grace, and no apologies. At the heart of the production is real-life couple Laura Irish and Ollie Howlett as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, bringing chemistry and emotional nuance to this bold Southern Gothic adaptation, backed by a live Americana/folk soundtrack.
“We didn’t just swap genders – we flipped the power structure and watched it burn,” said Ollie Howlett, co-director. “This isn’t a retelling. It’s a reclaiming.”
The Queens at the helm include Laura Irish as Macbeth, Tara McEntee as Duncan and Julia Guthrey as Malcolm. The Queens will be supported by Criss Grueber as Banquo, Caleb James as Macduff and Hamish Boyle as Ross.
This production marks The Barden Party’s second Australian tour and sixth full-scale show in just three years. From private gardens to national festivals, they’ve carved a name for their intimate, irreverent, music-infused Shakespeare and bold immersive theatre.
The Barden Party will travel to Scotland for the debut of Macbeth, (boots, banjos, bloody ambition and all) at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Tickets can be purchased for the shows individually or combined for the Macbeth/Romeo and Juliet double bill.
May 26 – June 1
Chapel off Chapel, Prahran.
More information visit thebardenparty.com
Cheryl Threadgold
Pictured: Artistic Director Laura Irish plays Macbeth and Juliet in the Shakespeare Double Bill.