Early Shakespeare in park this Sunday in Te Awamutu

Jillian Doll and Resa Lange rehearsing as Silvia and Outlaw from Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Shakespeare in the Park returns to Te Awamutu on Sunday with Comedy, love … and a bit with a dog (the famous line summing up Two Gentlemen of Verona in the film Shakespeare In Love).

Thought to be Shakespeare's earliest play, Two Gentlemen of Verona has many of the elements of more familiar Shakespearean comedies: star-crossed lovers, a girl disguised as a boy and misadventures in the woods.

At the same time Two Gentlemen of Verona sends up the rules of courtship and notions of idealism in love and friendship.

This year's Shakespeare in the Park is brought by a production team from Slip of the Tongue and actors from newcomers RAD Company.

Slip of The Tongue established Hamilton's outdoor Shakespeare 30 years ago, and has a reputation for fast-paced productions that are understandable by all.

From Raglan, RAD Company is a company of actors with an international flavour, bringing their own exuberance and highly-honed sense of the ridiculous to this comic tale of love and loyalty.

Organiser Dean Taylor says the event is brought to Te Awamutu by the Free Concert in the Park Trust, with funding from Creative Communities Waipā, and support from Waipā District Council, Te Awamutu College and Te Awamutu Courier.

The performance is a family-friendly evening in Te Awamutu War Memorial Park from 5pm, Sunday, February 21.

The natural amphitheatre behind the sunken cross is a perfect location for a picnic while enjoying the play.

People can bring blankets and low chairs, dinner and a wine or beer to the event. There is a liquor ban waiver that applies from 4.30pm until the end of the play in the immediate vicinity of the stage.

The event is free, although a donation is appreciated; parking is available in nearby streets and in the adjacent park.

If wet the play will continue at Te Awamutu College Hall.

Updates to the performance in light of potential changing Covid-19 circumstances will be posted on our Facebook page.