Review: Shakespeare Dying on the Stage

**Picture (L to R):** Dean Moulds (Actor) and Jordana Widt (Narrator). *Image credit: Creative Futures Photography*

Sometimes a show isn’t quite what you expected—which can have both pros and cons.

The world premiere run of Shakespeare Dying on the Stage is a great concept. Observing that Shakespeare’s plays include many onstage deaths, Dean Moulds (Playwright/Actor) decided to write a play that would ‘attempt to stage every death in Shakespeare in under an hour.’ Apparently there are significantly more than 100 deaths in Shakespeare’s plays, over half of which are onstage (yes, wiser and more talented people than me have undertaken ‘body counts’). At more than one death a minute, this would certainly make for a chaotic and funny show.

Shakespeare Dying on the Stage delivers on the promised fun and occasional chaos, but this is more of a funny improv quiz than a staging of all 74 of the onstage Shakespearean deaths. Moulds is a strong physical comic, and draws on various props and costume changes to suggest clues as to how each character dies. And Jordana Widt is an excellent choice as the Narrator or comedic foil, engaging with the audience and wryly interpreting or commenting on the various deaths as performed by the Actor—which means that together they are a good comedy duo.

I like the concept, and some of the scenes are quite funny and with ‘punny’ punchlines. Audience favourites include the musical number for the death of Cinna the Poet (Julius Caesar) and Cleopatra’s closing ‘I’m not dead yet’ death by asp (Anthony and Cleopatra). Having the introductory ‘cards’ for each act, referencing the character and play, is a nice touch. And a great idea to have several well-placed hecklers and a flower-thrower in the audience.

For future development, I suggest that the Bardot Rules producers, and Janelle Kerr (Director), might wish to develop the show as more of a quiz, concentrating on encouraging greater audience participation. One idea might be to promote the show as a pub quiz, with a low-cost prize for the teams who successfully guess what each of the clues mean. I would also suggest aiming to cover more plays and a greater number of deaths, by spending less time on each ‘clue.’ There are certainly a lot more deaths in the Shakespeare cannon, and I was surprised that the death tally didn’t include anything from Hamlet or Othello and only a fleeting reference to Macbeth. Perhaps running for the full hour, and with less time on each fatality, would provide scope to include more deaths.

On the subject of pub quizzes, I am sure that Hip Hops Brewers would be a good spot to host such a future quiz. The excellent ‘craft community karma’ focus at Hip Hops Brewers ensures warm hospitality, great pub food, and an extensive range of craft beer. Hip Hops Brewers aims to be a ‘creative hub,’ which means that the venue is a perfect fit for many different Anywhere Festival shows. The event space is up a set of steps but, as long as you can climb a staircase, don’t let that put you off.

Catherine Lawrence

**Picture**: Dean Moulds (Actor) eating coals…. *Image credit: Creative Futures Photography*

Audience information: The 2026 Anywhere Festival Moreon Bay program has just two more performances of Shakespeare Dying on the Stage, at Friends of Lagoon Creek Pettigrew St, Caboolture (22 May) and Buddy Brewing, 178 Station Rd, Burpengary (23 May). Tickets $30 (plus $4.40 ticket fee). All ages (recommend 10+). Warnings include coarse or crude language, subject triggers, suggestive dialogue, and references to death. 35 minutes.

The reviewer attended the 17 May 2026 12noon performance at Hip Hops Brewers (264 S Pine Rd, Brendale 4500).

Geoff Lawrence