4MBS Brisbane Shakespeare Festival's performance of Antony and Cleopatra

4MBS General Manger, Mr Gary Thorpe; Councillor for Central Councillor Vicki Howard; performers, and audience members.

I, too, wish to acknowledge the Original Custodians of the lands upon which we are gathered, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here this evening.

It’s a pleasure to be with you all, under open sky, as we celebrate the enduring power of Shakespeare’s works through this performance of Antony and Cleopatra.

This festival, now in its 18^th year, has brought some of Queensland’s finest actors and artists together, providing them with a stage to showcase their talent and dedication.

And I would like to thank 4MBS for its long-held commitment to bringing high-quality and affordable theatre to the community. You remind us of the importance of keeping the arts alive and thriving.

Now I’m certain there are many lovers of The Bard among you, and so I needn’t go into too much detail about this particular work.

Save to say that many of Shakespeare’s timeless themes resonate with us as much today as they did 400 years ago.

Shakespeare, in his brilliance, weaves together the complex struggles of love, ambition, loyalty and power.

And he explores the challenges of leadership, the costs of human ambition and the fragility of human relationships.

As we watch this play unfold, we can reflect on our own lives and emotions through the lens of history and drama.

These skilful actors will transform this amphitheatre into ancient Alexandria and Rome, using their craft to connect and inspire us, and to draw us in as though we are part of the story.

Their performance will remind us why theatre is so powerful, and hopefully how lucky we are to be here and experience it.

To everyone here tonight, thank you for supporting this vital cultural tradition. Your presence strengthens the arts in our community and ensures stories like Antony and Cleopatra continue to be told.

Enjoy the performance, and thanks once again to 4MBS for hosting this remarkable evening.