FOOLS ISLAND

It’s not your usual desert island caper. Twins (one good, one bad) are shipwrecked from an asteroid with polarising goals – destruct, create. Darren Gilshenan is the creator and star of this one-man extravaganza based on Shakespeare’s fools. After an outstanding reception at Bondi Pavillion, Tamarama Rock Surfers is bringing this one-hour performance to the Rocks as part of this year’s Sydney Theatre Company Education program.

Punters can expect sound effects, musical motifs, a live score by Rose Turtle Ertler and legendary physical theatre all performed to the words of the bard. I caught up with the Helpmann Award-winner who has played nearly all of Shakespeare’s clowns. “The piece has evolved but the story still remains the same. It’s become more interactive,” Gilshenan explains. “The themes in Shakespeare – love, ambition, trust and revenge – are universal themes which are really themes of humanity.” The NIDA graduate says the benefit of writing your own work is creating a piece that fits like a glove. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to say exactly what you want about theatre. The show is entirely entertaining from start to finish – funny but surprisingly dark and tragic. It will end in a place where you least expect.”

Jul 30-Aug 17, Wharf 2 Theatre, Pier 4, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, $22-32, 9250 1777, sydneytheatre.com.au