ANNOUNCING THE 2025 National Tour!
TOURING TWO SHOWS:
THE TEMPEST
Let your indulgence set you free and indulge in a retelling of The Tempest, Shakespeare’s play about nothing. Ok, so it does have content but it is practically the fourth act before the exposition concludes. That being said, The Uglies are expert at taking one of the Bard’s works and turning it on its head!
We are such stuff as dreams are made on!
Penned by international physical theatre star Trygve Wakenshaw, winner of the NZ Comedy Festival Best in Festival in 2024, what could possibly go wrong? So much we hope!
With much humour and mirth, we see Prospero using magic to conjure a storm and torment the survivors of a shipwreck, including the King of Naples and Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio. Prospero’s slave, Caliban, plots to rid himself of his master, but is thwarted by Prospero’s spirit-servant Ariel. The King’s young son Ferdinand, thought to be dead, falls in love with Prospero’s daughter Miranda. Their celebrations are cut short when Prospero confronts his brother and reveals his identity as the usurped Duke of Milan. The families are reunited and all conflict is resolved. Prospero grants Ariel his freedom and prepares to leave the island. The end.
That simple. Or is it?
Book this show and see for yourself how the Uglies deal with the plot, O brave new world that has such people in’t!
HAMLET
With a more ‘traditional’ eye, the Uglies still stamp their unique interpretation of the tragedy to end all tragedies, Hamlet. Penned by Ugly stalwart, Francesca Browne (Writer/Director Macbeth 2024; Actor Romeo and Juliet 2023), and driven by training as a clown in France, she has reduced this three hour 55 minute marathon to a mere 50 minutes. Afterall, we all know that brevity is the soul of wit!
To be serious or not to be serious, that is the question. Of course the answer is… maybe. Without losing the themes, the important monologues and soliloquies, we focus on telling the story and focusing on the important bits so students get a sense of story whilst having a rollicking good time!
So get thee to the booking form and ensure your school experiences Ugly Shakespeare’s great retelling of this classic and most popular piece by securing a date for our 30th Anniversary Tour!
We will match the action to the word, the word to the action, you just need to book!
We can’t wait to share this hilarious piece with you and your students. Suitable for more senior audiences.
Raving reviews
Check out the amazing testimonials from schools and audiences all over New Zealand
Soloway College
Glendowie College
Northern Southland College
Kaitaia College