As William Shakespeare transferred the plot of The Tempest from his mind to paper some 400 years ago, it’s safe to assume that he wouldn’t have imagined the play being staged in a manner like this. Those who have seen The HandleBards’ work however have little doubt that he would be impressed if he were in the audience with them.
This UK-based, bicycle-centric and off-the-wall theatre company was formed by friends Paul Moss, Callum Cheatle, Tom Dixon and Callum Brodie. The enthusiastic four took Twelfth Night on the road with them in 2013, pedalling on their bicycles to perform the play at different venues all over their homeland. They were received so well that they were soon peddling more of the Bard’s works at more locations over the border and beyond.
“We travel by bike because we care about the planet and we want to promote sustainability and healthy living,” detail The HandleBards on their website. “Our take on Shakespeare is fast, funny and fearless. If you’ve never seen Shakespeare before, there’s no better introduction. If you’re a Bard buff, you’ve never seen it done like this.” This philosophy drew more HandleBards to the company, which now boasts an all-woman troupe.
Taking On The Tempest
Enter the talented crew steering through The Tempest – Ellice Stevens, Katie Sherrard, Roisin Brehony and the mixed Malaysian-British Tika Mu’tamir – who possess a healthy mix of acting and theatrical experience between them. They will assume all 22 roles of this Shakespeare play, making use of clever props and adding liberal amounts of the trademark panache which defines The HandleBards.
Following the tale of the King of Naples and his court who run into a storm at sea and end up being shipwrecked on an island where magic, mystery and hidden motives are found at practically every turn, The Tempest is as riveting as any of Shakespeare’s brilliant efforts on its own, but when it is brought to life by The HandleBards, prepare to absorb it all with a nice helping of quirky!
The Tempest
WHERE PJ Live Arts, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
WHEN 3pm & 8pm (25-31 Mar)
ADMISSION RM60 (student), RM75 (single), RM250 (4 pax), 50% off for OKU cardholders
TEL 03 7931 8259
pjlivearts.my