2025: “the dARK SIDE”

Step into the shadows as we explore The Dark Side of Shakespeare. This year, our festival delves deep into the power struggles, tragic flaws and twisted ambitions that drive the characters of The Bard’s timeless plays.

From the eerie witches of Macbeth to the unsettling passions of Othello and some unexpected takes on the fairies of Midsummer, witness Shakespeare’s complex world where love, revenge and ambition collide.

We have a jam packed program for 2025!

DOWNLOAD OUR 2025 FESTIVAL PROGRAM HERE

 

OFFICIAL FESTIVAL OPENING

Thursday May 1, 6.30pm
The Stratford Courthouse, 66 Princes Highway, Stratford

Tickets: Free event, booking preferred

Our official launch at The Stratford Courthouse Theatre. Featuring live performances, announcement of the winners in the Sheila Malady Short story competition and our annual festival awards.

 

"Othello"
THE COMMUNITY PLAYERS

Directed by Belle Sewell

Friday May 9 7.30pm
Saturday May 10, 7.30pm
Thursday May 15, 7.30pm
Friday May 16, 7.30pm
Saturday May 17, 2pm
Saturday May 17, 7.30pm

The Community Players are embracing the dark side of Shakespeare with their gothic inspired performance of Othello.

Arguably Shakespeare’s most controversial tragedy, Othello tackles the dark and gritty themes of jealousy, racism, ambition, betrayal and spousal violence.

Whether you're a Shakespeare enthusiast or a first-time theatregoer, this play's universal elements of love, jealousy, and trickery will resonate with audiences of all ages.

All shows performed at the Stratford Courthouse Theatre, 66 Princes Highway, Stratford

Tickets: Adults $30 // Concession $20


The Bard’s Banquet: THE DARK SIDE

Saturday May 3, 7.30pm
The Mechanics Hall, 17 Hobson St, Stratford VIC 3862

Tickets: All tickets $70 (includes dinner + entertainment)

Come dressed to impress in your best as we feast and dance the night away in our ‘Dark Side’ themed event. Join us for an evening of revelry where dreams and reality intertwine in a delightful fusion of Shakespearean elegance and otherworldly charm.

Book early for this ever popular event. The Bard’s Bar will be open serving locally crafted beer, cider & wines.

"Forced shakespeare" 
Groundwork Youth Theatre

Thursday May 1, 8pm
Friday May 2, 7.30pm
Saturday May 3, 5pm

Stratford Courthouse Theatre, 66 Princes Highway, Stratford

Shakespeare is well known for exploring the darker sides of the human experience: From betrayals of family, to senseless murders, and everything in between. Yet there is a crueler side of Shakespeare still... One that explores an experience that unifies many of us.

The darkest side of Shakespeare, is being forced to learn it in school. 

Laugh at the suffering of the students as they desperately try to make class more bearable by defeating their evil teacher, in this Matilda-esque Mashup of Shakespearean Scenes

Three shows only, come support our young thespians with another daring take of a Shakespearian classic. Groundwork Youth Theatre is open to those 15-25 with a keen interest in creating theatre and meets weekly in Stratford throughout the school term.

Tickets: Adults $20 // Concession $15

https://www.facebook.com/groundworkyouththeatre/

 

Women in Fiction: The Force Awakens
Literary Event

Saturday May 3, 3pm
Badger & Hare, 20 Tyers St, Stratford VIC 3862

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival invites readers and writers to join six published authors for an afternoon of literary treats. While the audience enjoys a delicious afternoon tea, two separate author panels will discuss a range of topics. At the conclusion of the formal discussion, authors will be available for book signing and to chat. Collins Booksellers will have books available for purchase on the day.

For more information on the event, visit the event page here.

Tickets: VIP Ticket: $75 // Standard Event Ticket: $35

 

to dream or not to dream
sky high theatre

Tuesday May 6, 11am
The Mechanics Hall, 17 Hobson St, Stratford VIC 3862

Tickets: All tickets $5


Traditional Evensong

Sunday, April 27, 4.30pm
Holy Trinity Church, 26 McFarlane Street, Stratford

Tickets: Free event, no booking required

Evensong at the Holy Trinity Church is a Shakespeare on the River Festival tradition. Come along and celebrate this ecumenical service with us.


mAFFRA SECONDARY SCHOOL PRESENTS: macbeth

Sunday, May 4 (Faire Day), 11am
Sunday May 4 (Faire Day), 1pm
Stratford Courthouse Theatre, 66 Princes Highway, Stratford

Tickets: Adults $10 // Concession $5

Maffra Secondary College is proud to present our upcoming short play performance of Twisted Sisters. This play is something to delight and enthral any audience. Pulled directly from the great works of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, this iconic trio of witches sets about on their cunning plan to lead Macbeth down a path of destruction. Joined by a cast including Macbeth, Banquo and three apparitions this comedic take on the witches should not be one to miss!

 

Avon Village Faire & Market

Sunday May 4, 10am-3pm

Stratford Village Green, Cnr Dixon St & Railway Reserve Rd, Stratford

Tickets: Free event, no booking required.

In 2025 there will be a grand variety of traditional arts and crafts, food and beverages, fresh produce, together with exhibitions and displays.

Features of the day:

• Children’s games on the “Village Green”
• Local stalls and demonstrations
• Street performers, exhibitions, and buskers
• Instrumental and vocal ensembles

For more information on Faire Day, head to our dedicated Faire Day page here.

 

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Misfit Theatre

Sunday May 4, 3pm (Faire Day)

The Mechanics Hall, 17 Hobson St, Stratford VIC 3862

Step into a whimsical world where reality bends and dreams come to life in our psychedelic retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Performed by 21 actors from across Melbourne, our cast is a collective of diverse individuals. 

In a mystical forest full of enchantment and mayhem, four lovers tumble through a wild love triangle while mischievous fairies spin chaos and confusion. Meanwhile, a quirky group of mechanicals stumbles through their own theatrical disaster. With immersive sets, a dreamy soundscape, and a blend of magic, music, and laughter, this vibrant production will transport you to a world where anything is possible. Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of love, folly, and enchantment!  

(This performance contains immersive elements, flashing lights and sudden noises)

Tickets: Adults $20 // Concession $15

 

“AMN Dream”
Australian Shakespeare Company Graduate Players

Saturday May 10, 5pm

Stratford Courthouse Theatre, 66 Princes Highway, Stratford

Set in a magical forest outside Athens, the play follows the chaotic and humorous entanglements of four young lovers, a group of amateur actors, and a mischievous group of fairies. Led by Oberon and Titania, the fairy king and queen, the supernatural elements bring enchantment and confusion to the mortals' lives, especially under the influence of the playful sprite Puck. With mistaken identities, magical transformations, and a whimsical atmosphere, the play explores the complexities of love and imagination, ultimately celebrating harmony and reconciliation. This production also creates a world where the climate crisis is extreme, due to battling fairies, which makes it more relevant to modern audiences

Tickets: Adults $30 // Concession $20


“A midsummer night’s dream"
COMBINED STRATFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL GRADE 6 STUDENTS

Wednesday May 14, 1.30pm
Thursday May 15, 1.30pm
Friday May 16, 6pm

The Mechanics Hall, 17 Hobson St, Stratford VIC 3862

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a tale filled with magic, love, sword fights, and breaking the rules. On a Midsummer night, four young Athenians find themselves tangled in a chase through an enchanted forest, where warring fairies and a bumbling group of Mechanicals add to the chaos. What could possibly go wrong? Join our Stratford Grade Six students as they bring their own unique twist to this whimsical Shakespearean comedy.

Featuring the grade 6 students of Stratford Primary and St Patrick’s Primary School Stratford the combined school’s production has been a part of our festival for over 25 years. A wonderful coming together of young people that has now been shared by generations of Stratford locals.

Tickets: Adults $10 // Concession $5

 

Courhouse Teens

Monday May 12, 5.30pm
Stratford Courthouse Theatre, 66 Princes Highway, Stratford

Led by Rachael Nicholls, her Courthouse Teens hit the stage with an original work inspired by the Bard.

Tickets: All Tickets $5