Adapted by Lee Hall from the screenplay by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman
Directed by Chris Baldock
Mockingbird Theatre Company
Belconnen Arts Theatre to 28 February
Reviewed by Len Power 11 February 2026
Sometimes a stage adaptation of a much-loved movie can be a disappointment, but with Lee Hall’s adaptation and Chris Baldock’s inventive and fastidious direction, this production of ‘Shakespeare In Love’ is a colourful love letter to theatre, Shakespeare and the art of creation.
The wit and cleverness of the screenplay by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman remain in this Elizabethan tale of an author desperately trying to overcome writers’ block with his fledgling play, Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter. The colourful background of the theatre and its inhabitants of the time provide distraction and inspiration as well as an unexpected romance for the author.
On a simple but effective set that evokes the theatre of the period, Chris Baldock has assembled a large group of performers who bring this entertaining story skilfully to life. Although the major characters of the story dominate the action, everyone on that stage presents a fully developed and colourful character. It really is ensemble acting at its best.
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| Members of the company |
Tom Cullen is a sensitive and appealing Shakespeare, while James Phillips gives playwright, Kit Marlowe, a sly and biting intelligence. There are also fine performances by Anto Hermida as Henslow, Asha Forno as Viola de Lesseps, Richard Manning as Richard Burbage, Bruce Hardie as Lord Wessex, Sachin Nayak as both Lord Edmund Tilney and Sir Robert de Lesseps, Sian Harrington as Nurse, Mia Dimovski as Mistress Quickly and Peter Fock as Fennyman.
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| Tom Cullen (Shakespeare) and James Phillips (Kit Marlowe) |
Liz St Clair Long is a standout in her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I. Making the most of her short appearances in the plot, she commands the stage with the Queen’s imperiousness as well as her underlying sense of humour.
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| Tom Cullen - Left (Shakespeare) and Asha Forno - Right (Viola de Lesseps) and members of the company |
The costumes by Maya Hadfield, Sian Harrington and Liz St Clair Long are nicely detailed, colourful and correctly in period.
The director keeps the action fast and furious throughout, ensuring that everyone in this enthusiastic cast presents a strong characterization. This is theatre of a high standard, clever, funny and enormously entertaining.
Photos by Chris Baldock
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.
