Caroline Bay is set to be transformed into the whimsical world of Illyria as Timaru’s annual Summer Shakespeare production heads to the Sound Shell.
This year Aidan Theatre will be celebrating a decade of Summer Shakespeare in Timaru by staging an adaptation of Twelfth Night.
The classic play is a tale of shipwrecks, mistaken identities, secret longings and delightful chaos.
Director Kimble Henderson said Twelfth Night was the perfect play to stage after a tough 2025.
‘‘Last year was tough for a lot of people, and I think we all want to have some fun and then some. Twelfth Night is actually a festive season, it’s a big celebration where people would traditionally switch into a different character and just have fun.
‘‘It’s about life and death and living for the moment.’’
She said it was an exciting challenge for the company to be staging the play at the Sound Shell after holding the last couple of Summer Shakespeare performances in the Aigantighe sculpture garden.
‘‘We do a lot of intimate theatre where we connect with the audience and the Sound Shell is huge. So the juxtaposition of the hugeness of the Sound Shell and the intimacy that we try and create is our big challenge.’’
Viola actress Prea Millar said it was great to be performing at such a storied Timaru venue.
‘‘It’s a venue that has a heap of history. It’s a centre and focal point of entertainment in Timaru.
‘‘Once upon a time we actually did Twelfth Night and it was at the Sound Shell. It’s cool, it’s big and I actually think this venue is going to be even more accessible than previous years.
‘‘It’s an opportunity for just normal people to access theatre and access a way to connect with the community in a space that they know, that’s comfortable, that’s low stakes, and that isn’t like the hoity-toity theatre vibes that I think people often perceive.’’
Chris Rapley, who is playing the role of Duke Orsino, said it was not an intimidating Shakespeare play.
‘‘It’s a fun show. If you’re wondering if Shakespeare is your thing, come along and see this one because I reckon you just might find it is your thing.
‘‘It’s quite easy to follow along with and there is a lot of comedy, a lot of physical comedy. It’s a lot of fun, a lot of laughs.’’
Davey Henderson, who is playing the captain, said it was great to be able to spread Shakespeare around South Canterbury.
‘‘It will be in full view of the public, so hopefully folks that are passing through can stop and listen. Hopefully we can give them enough to say that Shakespeare’s not that bad and scary at all.’’
Audiences are encouraged to bring a picnic and something to sit on, settle into the seaside atmosphere, and enjoy live theatre under the open sky.
VIP tickets can be bought on the humantix website for $40.
General admission is covered by a koha donation or by buying a general admission ticket for $25 for those unsure if they are not donating enough or donating too much.
