20th Annual 4MBS Brisbane Shakespeare Festival
Saturday 31 October & Sunday 1 November 2026
Experience the world of the Bard amongst Brisbane’s beautiful Roma Street Parkland!
“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”
Join us for two fully-staged professional performances of Shakespeare’s HENRY IV – Parts 1 & 2 in the lush Roma Street Parkland Amphitheatre. Come early for Shakespearean themed events!
Book Your Tickets now!
2026 Festival Events
Pack a picnic or purchase delicious food from our food trucks. Bring a rug or cushion for comfort. The show will go on unless weather becomes dangerous – so bring a poncho in case of rain.
3.30PM – KIDS’ CLASSIC SHAKESPEARE
– with Maxine Mellor and Nadine Kelly
Bring your children to meet our storytellers Maxine Mellor and Nadine Kelly around the cauldron! Take part in this interactive, child-friendly version of Shakespeare’s Macbeth – spooky witches and all!
Recommended age: 3-12 years
4PM – SHAKESPEAREAN DANCE
Dance like the Bard! Learn beautiful dances from Shakespeare’s time, accompanied by live Renaissance music. No experience is needed – everyone is welcome to take part in the dancing, or sit back and enjoy the demonstration. Suitable for all ages!
4.35PM – SWORDPLAY
– with Prima Spada School of Fence
En garde! Agente! Watch an authentic Shakespearean swordplay demonstration, and learn about the skills and weaponry used in historical fencing. Based on the work of 16th and 17th century European masters!
5.10PM – SHAKESPEAREAN LANGUAGE
– with Roland ‘Roly’ Sussex
Discover Shakespeare’s way with words with Emeritus Professor of Applied Language Studies at UQ Roly Sussex, who has been broadcasting language segments on ABC Radio in Queensland since 1997.
5.30PM – HENRY IV
– Parts 1 & 2 combined
Experience Shakespeare’s thrilling tale of battles, rebellion and royal adventure. Follow the mischievous Prince Hal as he leaves behind a carefree life to face fierce rivals and fight for England’s crown. Directed by Tama Matheson, this professional production features a stellar cast of Brisbane Shakespearean actors. 2hrs with interval.
Tickets online:
$22 Adults | $17 4MBS Subscribers & Concessions
$12 Full-time students (18 & over) | FREE for Children (under 18) & Companion Card holders
Tickets at the door:
$25 Adults | $20 4MBS Subscribers & Concessions
$15 Full-time students (18 & over) | FREE for Children (under 18) & Companion Card holders
More Shakespeare Events
SHAKESPEARE’S KINGS AND QUEENS
– Library Talks with Gary Thorpe OAM
Many of Shakespeare’s plays deal with monarchs – and our perceptionof their reigns is coloured by his plays. How much is fact and how much is fiction? Join 4MBS Classic FM General Manager Gary Thorpe OAM and our Festival String Quartet for live music and discussion – a regal prelude to the Festival. Free! Phone libraries to book.
Mon 19 Oct 11am (60 mins) | Chermside Library, 375 Hamilton Rd, Chermside | Ph: (07) 3403 7200
Tue 20 Oct 11am (60 mins) | Mt Ommaney Library, Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre | Ph: (07) 3407 7010
Thu 22 Oct 11am (60 mins) | Carindale Library, Westfield Carindale, 1151 Creek Rd, Carindale | Ph: (07) 3407 1490
SHAKESPEARE ON RADIO
Classical music inspired by Shakespeare on 4MBS Classic FM 103.7, available in South East Queensland at 103.7FM or on our website live stream.
Thu 1 Oct, 15 Oct, 22 Oct, 8pm AT THE OPERA
Shakespeare Specials – Falstaff for Fun
Besides appearing in Shakespeare’s Henry plays, Falstaff is a leading figure in The Merry Wives of Windsor. These three programs take us through Verdi’s, Balfe’s and Nicolai’s setting of this tale.
Sat 24 Oct, 4pm FEATURE
Henry V | Explore musical ‘takes’ on Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, and Henry V – by William Walton & Edward Elgar.
Fri 30 Oct, 8am LIGHT AND BRIGHT
Shakespeare across the Centuries | Enjoy music based on the Bard’s plays and settings of his texts, by Weber, Purcell, Debussy, Goetz, Mendelssohn, Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, Finzi and Vaughan Williams.
Sat 31 Oct, 6am THE BANDSTAND COLLECTION
If only Henry IV had a Brass Band | Brass band music appropriate to the Henry IV plays, including compositions by Arthur Bliss, Peter Graham and George Southwell. Featured performers include The Band of the Blues and Royals, cornet virtuoso Tom Hutchinson and the Grimethorpe Colliery Band.
Sat 31 Oct, 6.30am VIENNA AND BEYOND
A Falstaff Trick or Treat | Music will include the opening scene from Salieri’s Falstaff, Joachim’s Overture to Shakespeare’s Henry IV and Ehi! paggio!… L’onore! Ladri! from Verdi’s Falstaff performed by Bryn Terfel at the 2026 Vienna Philharmonic’s Sommernachtskonzert
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2025 ~ Twelfth Night
2024 ~ Antony & Cleopatra
2023 ~ The Tempest
2022 ~ Romeo & Juliet
