Bard’s role written in the stars for lecturer

No stranger to the stage, TAFE SA Adelaide College of the Arts’ acting lecturer, Terry Crawford is preparing to play four characters, in the State Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet.

Featuring six actors, 21 characters and all kinds of forbidden love, this is Shakespeare through the looking glass, a world in which identities shift in the blink of an eye, where text, music and image collide to reveal Shakespeare’s masterpiece in a brand new light.

Terry is cast to play the roles of Capulet, Juliet’s father, and at points throughout the play, to embody Romeo, Juliet and Tybalt.

The challenge is certainly not lost on Terry, as he recognises "some pretty clever manoeuvring," will need to take place to make the production successfully come together.

This classic tale has been a cornerstone of the theatre since it was first performed in 1595, undergoing countless reinventions and connecting with millions around the world. 

In STC’s 2010 production, the romantic tragedy, dynamically re-imagined, will use the star-crossed lovers and their warring families to inspire us to examine why and how we love, and the lengths to which we are willing to go to get what we want.

Terry’s professional acting career has spanned over 20 years ago, having graduating from NIDA in 1984. A lead role in Director, Geordie Brookman's, production of Attempts on Her Life, a few years back, was not only a career highlight, but also from which a great partnership was forged.

"I was honoured to be the first person cast in Romeo and Juliet, with Geordie Brookman directing again," said Terry.

It appears that Terry’s role in the Bard’s most famous play was written in the stars as he recounts upon graduating from NIDA, then Director, John Clark’s prediction. "He said I’d play Romeo one day. I thought it was an odd suggestion even then - to find the premonition coming true 26 years later is pretty strange!"

Also part of the cast is 2009 AC Arts graduate, Josephine Were. "The last time I had that experience, the young actor was Joel Edgerton, (Australian film and television actor, most recognised for his role in The Secret Life of Us)!", said Terry.

Romeo and Juliet runs from 6 -29 Aug, at the Dunstan Playhouse.

Want to study drama?
Find out more about TAFE SA acting courses, contact the Adelaide College of the Arts on 8463 5000 or email arts.adl@tafesa.edu.au