Bell Shakespeare 2025 Season, Celebrating the Company’s 35th Anniversary

The first production of ‘Coriolanus’ on Australian stages since 1996, a new production of ‘Henry 5’ directed by Marion Potts, and an extensive national tour of ‘Romeo & Juliet’ -

Bell Shakespeare has announced its 2025 Season, as it prepares to celebrate the company’s 35th anniversary next year. For the first time in Australia in nearly 30 years, the company stages Shakespeare’s political epic Coriolanus in the intimate surrounds of The Neilson Nutshell in Sydney and the Fairfax Studio in Melbourne. Director Marion Potts returns to Bell Shakespeare for the first time in 15 years at the helm of a new production of Henry 5. Rounding out the Season, Artistic Director Peter Evans’ 2023 production of Romeo & Juliet will tour across the country to metropolitan and regional centres for the annual national tour.

To open the season, former Associate Artistic Director of Bell Shakespeare Marion Potts directs a new production Henry 5, starring Lebanese Australian actor JK Kazzi in his mainstage theatre debut. 

In Henry 5, one of the most famous war plays of all time, young Prince Hal has left his wayward adolescence behind and assumed the mantle of kingship. Following a humiliating insult by the French prince, King Henry launches England into a war with France to claim the throne he believes is rightfully his and, against all odds, he leads his troops from despair to climactic victory at the Battle of Agincourt. As Henry is hailed a warrior, and a hero, Shakespeare explores the costs of war. 

For the first time in nearly 30 years, Bell Shakespeare stages one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known works, the political epic Coriolanus. Directed by Artistic Director Peter Evans and starring Logie winner Hazem Shammas (Macbeth, Safe Harbour, The Twelve, The Clearing) in the titular role and veteran Australian actor Peter Carroll, this production tells the tale of war, power and politics that is both thrilling and disturbingly familiar. Coriolanus is a ferocious warrior and defender of Rome, but his contempt for the public, and his refusal to play the political game, see him banished from the city he once protected. When he joins forces with his former enemy to seek vengeance against Rome, the fate of the city, and of Coriolanus himself, hangs in the balance.

For the company’s annual national tour, Evans’ 2023 production of Romeo & Juliet will tour to 26 venues across the country. Introducing the Madeline Li as Juliet, this intimate production brings audiences close to the intensity and the heartbreak of Shakespeare’s most evocative tragedy.
Artistic Director Peter Evans said: “Welcome to Season 2025; three diverse plays and our exciting program of public events. The world is stranger than ever and as always Shakespeare has seen it or imagined it before. I struggle with whether to reflect, comment or distract when putting together our seasons. Next year, in our 35th anniversary year, we have chosen to reflect and comment, somewhat obliquely, but with sophisticated plays of the highest order. If it sometimes feels the world is fixated on finding easy answers, join us as we engage with the nuance and complex thinking of Shakespeare’s mind.”

Alongside this mainstage programming, Bell Shakespeare will present their extensive national outreach and education program in schools, communities and Juvenile Justice centres across Australia. 

Other events throughout the year will include a series of panel sessions titled On Shakespeare, Power and Politics held in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, the continuation of the lively script reading series, Play In A Day, featuring King John and the ever-popular Sonnets & Semillon. To accompany the season of Coriolanus and exclusive to season package holders and subscribers, Professor Liam Semler from the University of Sydney will give a talk interrogating the complex character, offering fascinating insights. 

Download the Season 2025 brochure here.

HENRY 5

Sydney Opera House | (Previews 1-4 March) 5 March – 5 April 2025
Canberra Theatre Centre | (Preview 10 April) 11 – 20 April 2025
Arts Centre Melbourne | (Previews 11 – 13 May) 14 – 25 May 2025

CORIOLANUS 

The Neilson Nutshell, Pier 2/3 Sydney | (Previews 20 – 24 June) 25 June – 19 July 2025
Arts Centre Melbourne | (Preview 24 July) 25 July – 10 August 2025

ROMEO & JULIET

Canberra Theatre Centre | (Preview 29 – 30 August) 31 August – 7 September 2025
Sydney Opera House | (Previews 18 – 19 November) 20 November – 7 December 2025
Further tour venues to be announced. 

https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/