Auckland's Pop-up Globe theatre has popped up again, prompting Seven Sharp's Nina Burton to channel her inner Juliet and get familiar with some of playwright William Shakespeare's well-loved classics.
For four years (2016-2020) the Pop-up Globe was an annual fixture in Auckland, presenting productions from a full-scale working replica of the London theatre where Shakespeare held his productions.
The temporary theatre was put into liquidation after being unable to weather the impact of the Covid-19 global pandemic.
Although the pop-up theatre venue is gone, the company behind the theatre is back and staging performances of Twelfth Night and Romeo and Juliet at SkyCity Theatre.
David Lawrence, the Artistic Director for the Globe, said: "Pop-up Globe shows in a Pop-up Globe style, with Pop-up Globe actors — we just don't have a Pop-up Globe, so we're a little like Shakespeare's company back in the day.
"The replica Pop-up Globe set can fit inside proscenium arch theatres and — so long as we leave the lights on and the actors and audience can see each other — it's essentially the same experience.
"You don't have the night sky above your head."
But you do get the full Shakespearean experience — with a difference.
"It's not a sit-in-the-fdark theatre experience. Theatre at Pop-up Globe is much more like a gig, a concert or a sports match. I think it's much more fun.
"Whether it's a comedy or tragedy, the plays are much more potent and alive.
The potency of audience involvement means anything can happen.
"There is a rehearsed version of each play. There is a plan, but how that setlist plays out on the night, and how that strategy evolves is entirely dependent on what kind of audience we have and what sort of mood everyone is in."
Two plays; the same cast on alternate nights.
"Twelfth Night, which is a riotous comedy in which everybody is also terribly, terribly depressed, and Romeo and Juliet which is a tragedy about love," said Lawrence.
Love, lust, light and dark — there's something for everyone. And you don't need to be a Shakespeare enthusiast to enjoy and appreciate the performances.
Natasha Daniel, who plays Juliet, said: "There's a lot of fun to be had in it, it's very funny. There are a lot of sword fights and dancing, and there's some beautiful original music... and a lot of love."
Lawrence said theatre needs to captivate an audience and compete with home entertainment.
"When the calibre of content on Netflix and Neon and all of those streaming services is so great, theatre can no longer be just about watching great actors being great — because you can do that from the comfort of your living room.
"If you are going to risk going out and spending your money on live entertainment, then it has to be offering something that you can't get in your everyday life."
The cast and crew had just five weeks to pull it all together.
"I think we've had three days where the full company has been in the same place at the same time," said Lawrence.
"Actors are desperate to get back out in front of audiences — audiences are desperate to be back in theatres having a great time."
The Pop-up Globe is at the SkyCity Theatre until Sunday, February 25.
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