Adelaidean - News from the University of Adelaide The University of Adelaide Australia
August 2011 Issue
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Adding value to student experience

 Theatre

Student Joshua Coldwell knows the value of a well-rounded education.

A fourth-year Science and Arts double-degree student, Joshua has been pursuing a wide range of study interests at the University of Adelaide, including pharmacology, wildlife biology, philosophy and history.

He has also used his time as a university student to explore one of his key passions - writing and performing for the theatre.

In August, Joshua joins an outstanding cast in a new production of Macbeth by the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild.

The 21-year-old will play Malcolm in Shakespeare's much-loved classic tale of bloody murder. It will be Joshua's sixth Theatre Guild production since becoming a student at the University.

"The first I heard about the Theatre Guild was when I was performing in a play for the 2008 Fringe," Joshua said.

"The play's Director said if I was going to study at the University, I might be interested in joining the Guild. My first show with them was the student-oriented production First Time Out in 2009."

As well as writing and performing for the Theatre Guild, Joshua has also been elected to the Guild's board as a student representative.

A self-confessed Shakespeare enthusiast, he said Macbeth was his favourite of the Bard's plays.

"It's a relatively underwritten play compared to many of Shakespeare's other works. The story roars along - the relationships and the plot are being laid out for us within the first couple of scenes," he said.

"I'm very happy about playing Malcolm. He has to evolve from what is essentially a snotty-nosed prince to having to make the decision to dispose of a tyrant, and that's not an easy decision for him to make. I love the psychology of Macbeth in general. I think audiences will really enjoy what we're doing with it."

Joshua said his Theatre Guild experiences have complemented his academic studies.

"You get involved with a great group of people, all helping each other to grow up in a way. Being involved in theatre teaches you real skills, like how to organise, how to develop people skills. There's a practical perspective to all this, as well as an artistic one," he said.

"I like to connect everything together, to look at things from different angles. My studies are an example of that. Some people see Arts and Science as mutually exclusive - I see them as being connected. It's possible to talk about science in artistic ways, and it's possible to apply scientific thinking to the study of arts."

Story by David Ellis


Macbeth

When: 7.30pm starting Saturday 6 August, and from 9-13 and 16-20 August
Where: Little Theatre, near Cloisters, North Terrace Campus
Cost: Tickets $25 adult; $20 concession; on Tuesdays: current University of Adelaide staff/students $15/$10
To book: Phone 08 8303 5999 or go online: ua.edu.au/theatreguild Tickets also through BASS on 131 246. Booking fees apply.

The Theatre Guild will also have three short and dynamic live performances in the Barr Smith Library Reading Room on Open Day Sunday 21 August. adelaide.edu.au/openday

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Brant Eustice as Macbeth
Photo by Phil Brown

Brant Eustice as Macbeth
Photo by Phil Brown

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Science/Arts double-degree student Joshua Coldwell, who will play Malcolm in <i>Macbeth</i>
Photo by David Ellis

Science/Arts double-degree student Joshua Coldwell, who will play Malcolm in Macbeth
Photo by David Ellis

Full Image (135.29K)

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