Shakespeare & Symphony

Shakespeare & Symphony is a spellbinding concert‑film experience that blends orchestral grandeur with live theatrical performance, celebrating the enduring power of the Bard’s verse. In a dazzling co‑production with Darwin Theatre Company and Brown’s Mart, the Darwin Symphony Orchestra—conductor Richard Mills—stuns audiences while Darwin's Vocalective, guided by Michael Loughlin, delivers a vibrant blend of vocal and spoken word. From the soaring paths of Berlioz and Tchaikovsky, the program unfurls the timeless tragedy of *Romeo and Juliet*, then dances into the mischievous enchantment of Mendelssohn’s *A Midsummer Night’s Dream*. The crescendo arrives when Vocalective joins the orchestra for Vaughan Williams’ radiant *Serenade to Music*, drawing lyrics from *The Merchant of Venice*. Amidst the music, celebrated Northern Territory actor Rob Collins weaves Shakespeare’s words into a luminous, spoken tapestry, under the direction of Yvette Walker and Shari Sebbens. Additional highlights include William Walton’s evocations of *Richard III* and *Henry V* from classic film scores, Berlioz’s balcony scene re‑imagined through his *Romeo and Juliet* Symphony, and Tchaikovsky’s masterful *Romeo and Juliet Overture‑Fantasy*. Join us for a night where ancient drama meets contemporary sound, and discover why Shakespeare’s stories continue to move audiences across centuries. Details & tickets.