Antonio!

Antonio! is a queer punk pirate musical starring Shakespeare's ultimate love interest.

What if The Bard wasn't just reusing a character name, but was instead inspired by one hopelessly romantic pirate looking for love in all the wrong places? Antonio! reimagines all of Shakespeare's Antonios as one proudly queer pirate stealing hearts and booty on the high seas - that is, when he's not in London, regaling his playwright lover William Shakespeare with tales of love and adventure.

Fed up with Will taking his stories but erasing their gay content, Antonio takes the stage with his band The Fools for Love to take the audience on a journey through the love stories that inspired The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night and The Tempest.

"A treasure chest of musical comedy." ★★★★ West End Best Friend (UK)

What if Shakespeare wasn’t just reusing a character name, but instead was inspired by one proudly queer pirate stealing hearts and booty on the high seas? Antonio takes the stage with his live band ‘The Fools for Love’ to reclaim his stories in this queer punk pirate musical not to be missed. He’s not bitter: he’s getting even!

Now touring Australasia after a ★★★★ and ★★★★★ sell-out season at Edinburgh Fringe 2023, 'Antonio!' is “the cult classic that we all deserve" - Broadway Baby. “This show is such a joy; it’s hilarious, it’s camp” - The Edinburgh Reporter "Vibrant, passionate and extremely fun" - Theatre Travels (UK)

Book by Ania Upstill
Music and Lyrics by William Duignan and Andy Manning

Directed by Andrew Paterson
Featuring Henry Ashby, William Duignan, Emma Katene, Jthan Morgan and Ania Upstill

Produced by Ania Upstill and Georgia Kellett

Fresh from the Adelaide Fringe, this Edinburgh Fringe smash-hit makes its Auckland debut!

NOTE: The performance at 3pm on Saturday, March 22nd will be a relaxed performance. There will be a touch tour for blind and low-vision patrons at 2:15pm (separate ticket types available), and a pre-show demonstration at 2:30pm. Antonio! is a highly auditory show with storytelling told through speech and music, and will not be audio described.

Relaxed Performance features:
- Doors left open throughout the performance.
- House lights left low in the auditorium for ease of movement
- A pre-show demonstration at 2:30pm before the show
- Optional Touch Tour at 2:15pm
- Stickers to allow patrons to opt out of audience participation
- Ear plugs and fidgets available, other comfort items welcome
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Free Companion tickets

Otherwise, the show will be the same as for other performances.

Antonio! is in the downstairs space at Basement Theatre, which is wheelchair accessible via a lift. Basement Theatre has a wheelchair accessible toilet and one wheelchair parking space that can be reserved by emailing info@basementtheatre.co.nz or calling 09 309 7433. Early seating is available for all performances, and service animals are also welcome. For full access and inclusion information at Basement Theatre, visit the Basement Theatre website.