Melissa Robertson

Tropical Arts - Shakespeare at the Tanks 2013

Since 2008, this has become a local, annual tradition created with enormous love and support by the community. As usual, a large, very diverse community cast studded with some of Cairns’ most respected and exciting actors: Warren Clements, Amelia Pegrum, Kevin West, Sarah Urquhart, Velvet Eldred, Heidi Davies, Jesse Cook, Douglas Robins, Alicia Jameson and Zelda Grimshaw – to name a few.....

What your Pozible investment will make possible ...
Beautiful video, photographs and documentation of the production, the process and people.

Another way to support us is to purchase a ticket and come and share the Tropical Arts experience with us. Book here

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Cast and Crew
The production is supported by a team of professional theatre makers who have volunteered their time to lead the diverse cast because they believe in the inspiring work of Tropical Arts. Finding a place for everyone to shine on stage develops a respectful inclusive community. There are first time actors, children as young as 5, university students on internship, people who love performing and some who are overcoming barriers to participation. The contribution each person makes to the whole is highly valued and the connections made through this collaborative approach means that community is at the heart of the show.

ARC Disability Services once again a partner in the production, there are 25 participating actors from ARC, spread over four ensembles to feature in the show. The socially inclusive music group, Song Connection are once again joining us on stage.

About the play
“It is an epic journey for love” says Director, Avril Duck, “but it’s madcap and full of dubious motives and uncomfortable clinches.” In brief: Helena, a young, low-born woman loves the young Count Bertram, someone far above her station. By curing the King of France, Helena is awarded Bertram as her husband but he rejects her and runs away to war. She tracks him down, and tricks her man back into her arms. It's epic in scale. There's a place for everyone.

A special element ...
This year, James Cook University has funded a sustainability project to help the show: recycled materials artist, Ruby Boussard has come on board to make the costumes and set. All of the materials are recycled. Second hand clothing forms the basis of the costumes with moulded recycled plastics adding detail like cuffs, breast plates and epaulettes. The design was inspired by Napoleonic uniforms and Haute Couture – but as always, must take into account the tropics – ensuring the actors are all comfortably clad for our tropical environment is top priority.

This show connects us with the ethic of recycling and the environment.

These funds will ensure we can afford to film the entire production and have it edited into a length that can then be shared with people online, then we will simply have still shots and ensure they are available to everyone in the cast.

If we are not able to achieve a full documentation of the production, photographs will be taken by and shared amongst participants, volunteers and family members. And though this will not have the same impact as the professionally edited film visuals, it will ensure that we have captured the moment.