Humans of 2088: Jo Bloom
- neighbourhoodmedia
- Feb 24
- 3 min read
All the world’s a stage for Jo Bloom
Those immortal words by Shakespeare could not ring more true than they do for Jo Bloom and her partner in art and life, Charles Mayer.
The two co-founded independent theatre company, Come You Spirits, three years ago, performing reconstituted Shakespearean works in the most unlikely spaces. The phrase “come you spirits” is taken from Lady Macbeth’s famous speech, calling on the gods to give her strength and courage.
It is an apt name for the theatre company, whose repertoire is comprised solely of Shakespeare works, and who also have a strong focus on spirituality.
Bringing Shakespeare to Unlikely Spaces
Bloom describes Come You Spirits as being a theatre in the old tradition — transformative and one with the audience.
“[To go] beyond entertainment and into the realm of more what it used to be in the early days, which is: how can it be an opportunity to change the audience, to really move them, to give them an experience that is deeply uplifting by harnessing the magic that’s in Shakespeare’s plays — those moments of big redemption — and put that on stage and really have a lens that impacts on the audience,” explains Bloom.
Bloom and Mayer have recently moved to Mosman but have lived in the general area for around ten years. They have performed in outdoor spaces and mobile venues including in The Haven amphitheatre at Castlecrag; in the tunnels of the Coal Loader at Waverton; on the foreshores of Kirribilli; and on the tall ship, Southern Swan sailing through Sydney Harbour. Further afield, they’ve driven across the Nullarbor to perform in Esperance on the Western Australian coast. Recently, they had a truly unique experience:
“[We] performed in Stonehenge last year for the Winter Solstice, inside the stone circle,” says Bloom.
Come You Spirits is comprised of a very small core troupe: Bloom, Mayer and two or three actors who stay for various lengths of time. They perform highly condensed versions of selected Shakespeare plays, preserving the central themes, principal characters, and focusing on the main narrative arc.
Antony and Cleopatra at The Concourse
Their latest production, Antony and Cleopatra, is being performed in, arguably, their most conventional setting yet — the Concourse in Chatswood. However, true to their nature, the Come You Spirits troupe are still providing an unconventional execution of Shakespeare’s work. The cast consists of Bloom (Cleopatra), Mayer (Antony), Charley Allanah (Charmian and others), and Nathan Meola (narrator), and the action moves between The Lounge, which is the lobby outside the theatre, and the auditorium itself.
Bloom and Mayer are thrilled that the Concourse has invited Come You Spirits to the resident theatre company.
“You know, for an independent theatre company just into our third year it’s pretty special to be launching into a venue like that…we’re so well supported by them,” says Bloom.
Antony and Cleopatra is playing in February and will be followed by Romeo and Juliet in May and Macbeth in August.
Living and Creating in Mosman’s Green Oasis
Meanwhile, Bloom and Mayer are settling into their new home in Mosman and enjoying the vibrant surroundings. They could not believe their luck when they found out who their neighbour was.
“We actually live next door to a chap who is an ex-actor himself and a university professor who used to specialise in Shakespeare, which is crazy good!” says Bloom.
Their son, Mercutio (yes, they really do love Shakespeare!) has just started high school at Mosman High and younger son Harley goes to the local primary school.
When not reciting Shakespeare lines in the wilderness, Bloom and the family enjoy exploring the offerings around Mosman, including the great eateries.
“The Avenue, which is on our street, we really do like that one. And the French creperie on Military Road,” says Bloom. What does she love most about living in Mosman?
“The greenery does feel like you’re in another pocket, like an oasis, it’s really beautiful,” says Bloom. “With the work we do, such big expanse of energy, it can be tiring on the spirit, especially when you’re playing characters who are dying all the time…so it’s really lovely to come home and feel like you’re in a sanctuary. I underestimated how important that is, to have this beautiful green outlook and smiling faces, and coming into a nice calm environment. It’s really special.”
Comments