Continuing on from their performance in the Anywhere Theatre Festival last year where they reimagined Star Wars: A New Hope into Bard Wars: A Shakespearean Space Opera, Brisbane’s Black Fox Theatre ensemble has this time around adapted the 1980 follow-up for the stage.
The two-part play sees The Empire Strikes Back performed in Shakespearean style – and while following the plot points of the film rather faithfully, writers John Grey and Daniel Broderick Grey have added their own touches.
Keen-eared audience members will hear references to Shakespeare’s great plays such as Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet interspersed throughout the text – with the tongue-in-cheek references adding to the comedic air.
There was a lot of goodwill in the crowd at the Thursday night performance, with some people coming to the show dressed in character. Most people in this audience were highly familiar with the plot of Star Wars, and knew what to expect from the narrative, however, there were a few scenes – which given the already complicated source material, the multitude of characters and the old-fashioned language – might have been too much to take in at once for the less initiated.
While for the most part the performances (Rhiannon Moushall as Artoo Detoo and Samuel Grey as Darth Vader especially) were accomplished and the material itself was well received – the do-it-yourself nature that is characteristic of many of the performances throughout Anywhere Theatre Festival did present a few issues.
At certain times during the performance it was difficult to actually see the action. As there was no elevated ‘stage’ as such and the performers and audience were together on the one level, when the characters crouched or lay on the ground it was performed at the feet of those in the front row – prompting some people to move from their seats to stand at the back of the hall.
Similarly, there were times where some of the actors’ voices were lost within the acoustics of the space. However, at other times, the space available at the Bleeding Heart gallery was used well, with the performers making good use of the stairwell leading up to the next level to vary the action.
A novel foray combining two different genres, it will appeal mostly to sci-fi fans who are willing to have a little fun.
Rating: 3 stars
Black Fox Theatre presents Bard Wars V: The Empire Striketh Back
Written by John Grey and Daniel Broderick Grey
Directed by Daniel Broderick Grey
Performers: Derick Smith, Nick Piper, Samuel Grey, Rhiannon Moushall, Samantha Lan, John O’Connor, Conor Brookes, Callum Pulsford, Tim Gollan, John Grey, Tallulah Grey, Alexander Forero, Tim Gawne
Musicians: Bernard Houston, Mircha Mangiacotti, Eddie Gazana
Bard Wars V: The Empire Striketh Back was performed as part of the Anywhere Theatre Festival, Brisbane – from Thursday, May 16 – May 18 at the Bleeding Heart Gallery.
The Anywhere Theatre Festival, Brisbane, ran at various venues from May 8-19.
