Hannah Johnson's SHAKESPEARE'S SIRENS|William Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT

Hannah Johnson's SHAKESPEARE'S SIRENS (Flagstaff Shakespeare, Arizona, US) 

Shakespeare's Sirens is a short and engaging cabaret-style one-woman show that explores the stories of some of Shakespeare's most famous women, and the original songs they sing. It examines a recurring question: Why do Shakespeare's women always sing, suffer, and then die? Using original speeches from Shakespeare, plus songs from his plays and folk songs from the Elizabethan era as an anchor, the show is performed and sung by Hannah Johnson, and accompanied on classical guitar in the authentic Renaissance style by her husband, Jacob Johnson. The show is a mix of poignant moments, comedy, and academic perspectives exploring the lives and stories of these women, from the viewpoint of a young woman who has played many of these rich female characters onstage. The performance invites audiences of all backgrounds to reflect on themes of grief, resilience, and self-expression—and to consider how the struggles of these characters still resonate in the lives of performers and audiences today.

Followed by:

William Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT (ShakespearED, Perth, Australia) 

"5 actors, 16 roles, 1 week of rehearsals . . . what can possibly go wrong?" This production of Twelfth Night (performed for us ON Twelfth Night!) from Western Australia's ShakespearED company embraces a fast-paced, high-energy approach that brings together a cast of five highly experienced performers, gives them a cut script to learn, a few rehearsals, and then puts them in front of an audience. The concept behind ShakespearED is to strip Shakespeare down to its essentials—focusing on storytelling, character dynamics, and the raw energy of live performance. This approach demands versatility, quick thinking, and a deep understanding of Shakespeare’s language. The actors must navigate rapid character switches, minimal props, and basic lighting. The result is a performance that is both fun and serious, proving that Shakespeare’s works can be accessible and entertaining. Featuring Melissa Merchant, Murray Jackson, Andrew Kocsis, Wade Ellis and Tegan Harrod, with stage management by Tiffany Banner.