The fanciful nature of the plot of All’s Well That Ends Well has been one of the much criticised features of this rarely performed play. 

But one of the main reasons audiences go to see plays is to see the magic of theatre - and Shakespeare loved staging theatrical ‘miracles’ and he thrived on dramatic magical twists.

A young maiden with miraculous powers of healing wins a husband through a King’s prize, enjoys an extraordinarily coincidental meeting with her lost husband in Italy, pulls off a ‘bedtrick’ designed to solve his cruel riddle, and stages a final resurrection and pregnancy to fulfil their journey. Intrigued? Come along and see for yourself.

The team behind the production includes director Joanne McAndrews and a cast of thirteen Reamus Youth Theatre members, with costumes by Kadisha Patterson.

And, for a special treat on opening night, Maitland Regional Art Gallery Members Committee are joining with Maitland Repertory Theatre and Reamus Youth Theatre to present "Soup and Shakespeare". 

Seraphine Café together with the MRAG Members Committee is serving hearty soup at the gallery opposite Maitland Repertory Theatre from 6pm on 17 August. 

After soup there will be time to take in Wendy Sharpe’s ‘Secrets’ exhibition before crossing the road to the theatre when doors open at 7:30pm.

Tickets for the play are all $17 (the opening night special Soup and Shakespeare tickets are $27). 

Ticket bookings can be made online at www.maitlandreptheatre.org or at Maitland Visitor Information Centre on 4931 2800 (10am – 3pm daily). 

The play opens at Maitland Repertory Theatre on Friday, August 17 at 8pm for eight performances with six evening and two matinee shows.

The show will run for approximately two hours and 20 minutes including a 20 minute interval.

Maitland Repertory Theatre is giving away a double pass to the opening weekend of All’s Well That Ends Well on 17-19 August.

For your chance to win, visit Maitland Repertory Theatre’s Facebook page.