Et tu, madam mayor?

All roads lead to Bella Vista this summer.

• A family night out without breaking the budget
• A summer under the stars
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All roads lead to Bella Vista this summer.

Theatre company Sport for Jove will bring its eighth season of Shakespeare in the Park to the Hills next month.

Journey on a Roman holiday with the epic tale of Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra told together at Bella Vista Farm.

Sport for Jove’s Shakespeare in the Park will be staged in partnership with The Hills Shire Council’s Summer Series.

Mayor Yvonne Keane, Shakespeare in the Park director Damien Ryan, and Lil Miss Collins cafe owner Tony Moussa.

Shakespeare in the Park was the brainchild of Baulkham Hills residents Damien and Bernadette Ryan, and was first held at the Roxborough Park Rose Garden in 2009.

The event has since become one of the most popular on the Hills summer calendar, showcasing classic theatrical productions including Romeo & Juliet, As You Like It, The Taming of the Shrew and Macbeth.

This year’s season will focus on Shakespeare’s tragic take on the true Roman tales of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony and Cleopatra.

“The plays are so exciting — they’re two thrillers, they’re funny as well and very, very dramatic so people can look forward to wonderful performances from a great cast,” Mr Ryan said.

The director and actor will play Brutus in Julius Caeser and will be joined by a cast that includes Christopher Stollery as Antony, Camilla Ah Kin as Cleopatra, and Suzanne Pereira as Julius Caesar.

Lil Miss Collins owner Tony Moussa with Hills Shire Mayor Yvonne Keane and Shakespeare in the Park director Damien Ryan.

“Shakespeare looked to the Roman past not out of historical curiosity but to awaken us to the struggles, fears and possibilities of our present — our relationships to power, to loyalty, to freedom, to violence, to idealism and to civic duty,” Mr Ryan said.

Hills Shire Mayor Yvonne Keane encouraged residents to “enjoy what promises to be an amazing Roman season”.

“I love the fact that each summer, people can pack a picnic and head to beautiful Bella Vista Farm to take in Sport For Jove’s Theatre’s professional, accessible and highly entertaining productions,” she said.

“I’m proud that Council has supported Sport for Jove bringing quality theatre to our community for many years, and particularly proud of the work they do coaching local young actors in the wonderfully enduring works of Shakespeare.”

Tickets will be available for purchase soon at sportforjove.com.au