Five people in white shirts. They are laughing, cheering and throwing their hands in the air. They have masks painted on their faces and confetti is falling around them.

“There is no sinner like a young saint.” Aphra Behn, The Rover


In 2021, the Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble is celebrating 20 years of sharing energetic, accessible, and unique productions, world-class training, and community building projects. It’s our party, and you’re definitely invited!

On stage, we’re reveling in the joyous highs and dismal lows of being human, often at the same time. QSE’s Artistic Director, Rob Pensalfini, is back in the directors’ chair for a spring season of Romeo & Juliet. Later in the year, Rebecca Murphy will direct the brilliant, yet rarely performed, The Rover by Aphra Behn. These classic plays both remain strikingly relevant, offering honest, funny, and deeply critical explorations of gender, love, and freedom.

With workshops ranging from Shakespeare to Voice to Political Theatre, there are extensive opportunities throughout the year to engage in our training.


“…they stumble that run fast” William Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet