It’s the Valentine’s Day weekend, and who better to express the sentiment of the day than the old romantic (William) Shakespeare.

 

There’s more than tears falling today, and the weather doesn’t look like it will become any finer. But members of the Sydney Shakespeare Festival have something to say… and it seems they’re determined to get the message across.

 

[Julie Baz, Artistic Director]:

“Essentially we started this because we really wanted to bring Shakespeare to the people.”

 

So they’re bringing Shakespeare to the people. But will the people be there to bring it to, braving this so-called summer weather?

 

It seems a few die-hard Shakespeare lovers will not be turned away by a little rain.

 

[Audience Members]:

“Well, we’ve come to see Shakespeare in the Park – maybe we’re going to see ‘The Tempest’.” 

 

[Reporter]:

"Were you here last time?”

 

[Audience Members]:

"No this is a completely new experience – this is our first time, yes."

 

[Reporter]:

"Shakespeare in the Rain"

 

[Audience Members]:

“Yes, Shakespeare in the Rain, that’s right.”

 

Are there any concerns about tonight’s performance?

 

[Audience Members]:

“That it will be cancelled. No my greatest concern was that it wasn’t going to be cancelled.”

 

So they seem quite determined... but perhaps not as much as some of the performers. Like Christina, an actor who’s trying hard not to take the expression break a leg too literally. But it leads to a new interpretation of the Shakespeare favourite, Twelfth Night.

 

[Christina Falsone, Actor]:

“Olivia in Twelfth Night, I mean she’s a bit crazy in the pursuit of love, it’s an unrequited love, and having this physical limitation gives her slightly more obstacles to overcome to try and win her love.”

 

So should the pursuit of love be taken seriously?

 

[Richard Hilliar, Actor]:

“In Twelfth Night I play Sir Andrew Aguecheek, who is the exact opposite of a romantic lead. He is a character who is in love but he’s so ridiculous and clownish that, you know, you’re not supposed to take that love seriously.”

 

So there is some room for humor on Valentine’s Day.

 

[Julie Baz, Artistic Director]:

“Twelfth Night is a great... really is a good fun play to bring a Valentine’s date to, because you can have a good laugh at the trials and tribulations of love.”

 

The weather’s still not easing off, so the show might not go on after all. At least not today. But the festival runs for one more night, so the romance might not all be washed away to another year. And if it does, you can always try Singing in the Rain…

 

Guy Harvey, NTD, Sydney.