All the world’s a stage
The couple behind Summer Shakespeare promises an accessible
take on the great bard’s famous play Romeo and Juliet.
words KARL PUSCHMANN
Vikki and Pascal.
There’s a surprising fact about William Shakespeare’s plays that not everybody knows.
“Shakespeare's full of really bawdy jokes,” Pascal Tibbits grins, before
wife Vikki Gorton-Tibbits adds, “It’s quite hilarious. There’s a lot of comedy interjected with the seriousness of it all. Romeo and Juliet isn’t just a tragic love story.”
The couple is behind Tauranga’s increasingly popular annual Summer Shakespeare production, which this year is putting on his most famous play, Romeo and Juliet. Pascal, who is the creative director, says that making the works of the great bard user-friendly for modern audiences is one of their primary goals.
“It’s about the theatre, community, and accessibility for everyone to come and have a good time,” Pascal says. “We make sure our actors are telling a story that anyone can watch and understand. All the themes that were relevant in Shakespeare’s day are relevant now. This is the magic of Shakespeare.”
Vikki, who is the producer, nods and says “You don’t have to be a Shakespeare buff to go to one of these shows.”
Romeo and Juliet is the seventh play that the Summer Shakespeare Tauranga Trust has put on, and sees them transport the great tragedy from the Elizabethan era into the roaring 1930s. Running from February 6 to the 16th at the Te Puna Quarry Park, the beautiful purpose-built amphitheatre is set amongst a stunning natural backdrop.
Food is another passion of the pair, who together won the reality TV cooking show My Kitchen Rules in 2023. Fittingly, they’ve put together a flavourful menu of locally sourced and produced food, wine and beer, including crowd-favourite Pork Belly Bao buns and spiced beef focaccia.
“Our vision is to create an experience where people can enjoy themselves and feel welcomed, without breaking the bank,“ says Pascal. “Tickets are reasonable, the food and wine are priced fairly. We don’t believe in taking advantage of a captive audience. It’s about making the event accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”
Of course, you’re also free to bring your picnic basket. The main thing for the pair is that people enjoy themselves.
