John Bell – all his world is the stage
It’s impossible to overestimate the significance of John Bell to Australian theatre. As an actor and director, he has established himself as one of the foremost interpreters of Shakespeare. As the founder of Bell Shakespeare, he has brought the joy of theatre to thousands of people, platformed local talent, and championed the arts in this country.
In his 2021 solo show, One Man In His Time: John Bell and Shakespeare, Bell held audiences in his thrall, sharing his love and admiration for Shakespeare through personal stories, backstage insights and the recitation of some of his favourite soliloquies from Shakespeare’s most popular and some lesser known plays. The shows were a sellout.
The 81-year-old thespian will reprise the show with strictly limited performances in Sydney and Melbourne. The Sydney shows will be performed in the new home of Bell Shakespeare, the Neilson Nutshell at Walsh Bay.
John Bell has been at the forefront of Australian theatre for his entire career, recognised for his contribution by being bestowed an Officer of the Order of Australia and the Order of the British Empire. He is highly acclaimed as a Shakespearean actor and has been compared with the likes of Sir Lawrence Olivier and Sir Ian Mckellen.
One Man In His Time: John Bell and Shakespeare is a rare opportunity for audiences to witness the extraordinary talents of one of this country’s greatest actors as he pays homage to one of the world’s greatest writers.
“My relationship with Shakespeare and his plays has changed and developed throughout the years as I myself have changed and developed. ‘To be or not to be’ means something entirely different when you’re 20 to when you’re 80. I’ve always been struck by not only Shakespeare’s language but his humanity, his deep understanding of the human mind and heart, and his ability to transcend time as his words resonate with people of all generations and ages.”
