THE hills of Wangat will once again echo with Shakespearean verse as Dungog “Shakespearience” returns for its fourth year.
This time it will tackle one of the Bard’s most enduring tragedies, Hamlet.
Following the sold-out success of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It and Romeo & Juliet in previous years, director Timothy Weston and the team behind Shakespearience Australia are transforming the forest stages of Wangat Lodge into the royal courts of Denmark.
Performed across three outdoor stages, the production invites audiences to wander beneath the trees as the story of Prince Hamlet unfolds – a young man driven to question loyalty, fate and revenge after learning of his father’s murder.
Dan Lyons from Wangat said that bringing professional theatre to rural audiences had become a highlight of the year.
“The response from the Dungog community has been so inspiring,” he said.
“Each season we see families, students and visitors engaging with Shakespeare in a way that feels alive and connected to nature.”
The forest setting, he added, was chosen not just for its atmosphere but for its alignment with Wangat Lodge’s focus on conservation and biodiversity.
“There’s something powerful about art that sits within the living landscape.”
This year’s Hamlet season includes morning matinees and evening shows, with post-performance Q&As offering audiences a chance to meet the cast and creative team.
The lodge’s outdoor foyer area will feature local refreshments, adding to the event’s relaxed, festival-like feel.
See TryBooking for tickets.
By Shannon BENTON
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