Bard Wars Chapter the Fifth: the Empire Striketh Back

O that we had here at our beck and call
Such magic and such light of industry
That with a wipe of silver light we could
Transport this little place from timber’d stage
To distant frosted wilderness, and yet
To cloud-capp’d tow’rs and yet farther still
To tropic marsh, to fretful sea and back
As one would blink: and all these wonders pack’d
Top full with action, brimm’d with mystery,
With bloody battle and with stormy love,
The soul of valour and the heart of fear.
These with your mind invent as we perform.
But do not think that our device grows stale:
The Empire Striketh Back’s a darker tale.

The Artful Dodgers bring to Anywhere Festival 2026 Bard Wars V: The Empire Striketh Back, last performed as part of Anywhere Festival 2013 by Black Fox Theatre, written by John Grey and Verity Grey, based on a concept by Verity Grey, and directed by Tallulah M.E. Grey.

This is the sequel to 2025’s Anywhere Award winner for Best Comedy, Bard Wars IV: Hope Renew’d. Perfect for lovers of Star Wars, lovers of Shakespeare, lovers of comedy, or lovers of the Brisbane arts community.

No knowledge of either Star Wars or Shakespeare is required to have a rollicking good time!