Shaking The Tree Theatre
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    • IN A DIFFERENT REALITY SHE'S CLAWING AT THE WALLS
    • FORBIDDEN FRUIT
    • FUCKING A
    • MODELMINORITY
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    • SHORT FLIX
    • BAKKHAI
    • ESCAPED ALONE
    • MADE TO DANCE IN BURNING BUILDINGS
    • _____ THE WOLF
    • SALT
    • MACBETH
    • THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE
    • COME TO THE TABLE
    • MISS JULIE
    • WE'RE ALL MAD HERE
    • HEAD . HANDS . FEET
    • ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE
    • A DOLL'S HOUSE
    • PASSION PLAY
    • SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER
    • MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH
    • ONE FLEA SPARE
    • WILDE TALES
    • FAR AWAY
    • THE TRIPPING POINT
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Venus and Adonis

Venus and Adonis by William Shakespeare
|December 2nd - 24th 2016|
Directed by Samantha Van Der Merwe

"Undaungtingly creative." ~Willamette Week
"Brilliant, energetic and vibrant. Stunning work!" ~Patron
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Shakespeare's great erotic poem Venus and Adonis was Shakespeare's first bestseller. He wrote it in 1593, when the theatres were closed because of the plague, and it was an immediate publishing hit, running to 16 editions over the next few years. It's raunchy stuff, designed, no doubt, to appeal to the 19-year-old appetite of the Earl of Southampton, to whom it is dedicated. 
It tells the story of the sex goddess Venus and her passionate obsession for the petulant pretty boy Adonis. He rejects the offer of being her divine toy boy, preferring to go boar-hunting instead, but finally gives in to her advances. He ends up gored by a ferocious wild boar, and Venus curses love for ever more.
This epic poem is perfect example in miniature of Shakespeare's genius: here is vivid characterisation, terrific storytelling and sublime poetry, but also sensational comic material (Adonis's over-sexed stallion flirting with a capricious mare), followed instantly by moving tragedy.

Starring
Rebecca Ridenour and Matthew Kerrigan
​

Creative Team
​Rebecca Foster, Ted Gold, Samantha Van Der Merwe, Annalise Albright-Woods & Jeff Woods

"Funny, playful, physical and delightful." ~Patron

"Congratulations to Samantha Van Der Merwe on a thoroughly beautiful and entertaining, imaginative and fast-paced VENUS AND ADONIS. First of all, the casting is wonderful with inspired acting by Rebecca James Ridenour and Matthew Kerrigan. Their movement work, animal calls, quips aimed at the audience, and delivery of Shakespeare's beautiful poetry were all very fine, and they were so very beautiful to watch in this story of rejected love. Umbrellas were deployed more imaginatively than I have ever seen in a theater piece, in every possible way, yet the staging was quite simple with only some seating, a coat rack and several props, and the simplest of costumes. Much is left to the imagination of the audience, making the piece extremely engaging. I love this kind of theatre, and this piece was particularly fascinating in using multiple modes of suggestion through the actors' voices, movements, facial expressions, and interactions." ~Patron

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Shaking the Tree Theatre is located at 823 SE Grant St.
Portland, OR 97214

Oue main office is located at 2136 SE 8th Ave
Portland, OR 97214

For our theatre: Look for the Big Blue Warehouse on the corner od SE 9th and Grant and enter through the gate.
​For our main office: look for the beautiful mural on the corner of SE 8th and Grant. Entrance is on SE 8th.


Shaking the Tree receives major funding from:

 The James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation,  The Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The Rose and David Dortort Foundation, supporting organization of the California Community Foundation, The Benjamin Buckley Young Actors Fund of Oregon Community Foundation, The Jackson Foundation, The Ronald W. Naito Foundation,
Ronni Lacroute, Jessie Jonas, Ellyn Bye & Anonymous x2.

Shaking the Tree Theatre receives support from the Oregon Arts Commission, a state agency funded by the State of Oregon and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Shaking the Tree is supported by the Oregon Cultural Trust through the Multnomah County Cultural Coalition.

  • WELCOME
  • SHOWS & EVENTS
    • NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE SUMMER FESTIVAL
    • DANCING ON THE SABBATH
    • TICKETS
  • WORKSHOPS
  • RESIDENCIES
    • VISUAL ARTS RESIDENCIES
    • PERFORMANCE RESIDENCIES
  • DONATE
  • RENTALS
  • CONTACT
    • FIND US HERE
    • ACCESSIBILITY
    • WORK WITH US
  • ABOUT
    • WHO WE ARE
    • ACCOUNTABILITY
    • LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
    • COVID POLICY
  • ARCHIVE
    • THE ANTIPODES
    • UBU AMERICA
    • THE BROTHER AND THE BIRD
    • WE WROTE THIS WITH YOU IN MIND
    • BLOOD WEDDING
    • IN A DIFFERENT REALITY SHE'S CLAWING AT THE WALLS
    • FORBIDDEN FRUIT
    • FUCKING A
    • MODELMINORITY
    • CHICK FIGHT
    • COMMUNITY IN CONVERSATION
    • FAMILY
    • 家 人 (JIA REN)
    • REFUGE
    • SHORT FLIX
    • BAKKHAI
    • ESCAPED ALONE
    • MADE TO DANCE IN BURNING BUILDINGS
    • _____ THE WOLF
    • SALT
    • MACBETH
    • THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE
    • COME TO THE TABLE
    • MISS JULIE
    • WE'RE ALL MAD HERE
    • HEAD . HANDS . FEET
    • ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE
    • A DOLL'S HOUSE
    • PASSION PLAY
    • SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER
    • MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH
    • ONE FLEA SPARE
    • WILDE TALES
    • FAR AWAY
    • THE TRIPPING POINT