The tale of the seductive and alluring Venus and the handsome Adonis was unraveled in Shakespeare's 1593 poem, but now a new reading of the work will bring the story back to life.
Theatre luminaries Marta Dusseldorp and Ben Winspear have recreated the captivating tale of Venus and Adonis to accompany the Ten Days on the Island festival.
Winspear said the pair had both performed Shakespeare's work, but he had never seen this particular piece performed anywhere.
"I thought that would be a treat for an audience," he said.
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Winspear said the festival's artistic director, Lindy Hume, approached them after seeing the project when it was launched in collaboration with composer Thomas Rimes.
Dusseldorp added the team only had eight weeks from the first conversation to the moment when they had to present it to create something musical.
"Ben thought of the poem because it has an intrinsic music within it, and could be scored quite easily as well," she said.
"We deliberately wanted it to be contemplative."
Dusseldorp said a desire to want to stand and deliver the performance led to a third element in the piece, film.
"The poem is so visual and sensual and we wanted to provide some imagery that works into the poetry but doesn't illustrate the poetry," Winspear said.
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"When you're sitting in the audience you have the chance to listen to the music, concentrate on the poetry, watch the imagery and let those three elements kind of wash over and play within each other."
The live performance was created to be moved around the state, resonating and being absorbed by lots of different people.
"We will build our works always to have some type of portability and if not, it would be to encourage people to come to a particular area to enliven that space," Dusseldorp said.
The pair said they had enjoyed meeting audiences in remote areas and listening to their stories.
"The artistic exchanges that we have had have been incredibly rich," Dusseldorp said.
They are also currently reviewing submissions for a collaboration between themselves and the Australian Theatre for Young People on a Fresh Ink program.
It is the first time the program has been offered in the state and will be offered annually from now on.
Venus and Adonis has one more show with Ten Days on the Island in Westbury on March 14. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at tendays.org.au/program/venus-adonis.
Winspear and Dusseldorp said they felt lucky to perform, and they didn't take the audience for granted.
Dana Anderson
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
