With her ‘tiger’s heart wrapped in a woman’s hide’, the French wife of Henry VI and War of the Roses military leader was known for her fierceness, cunning and violence.

Now, the ‘she-wolf of France’ is being resurrected – just in time for the 400^th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

Federation University third year acting and musical theatre students will perform Margaret of Anjou this Saturday at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, with program leader Kim Durban explaining it was actually a new play reconstructed from the character’s appearances in three other Shakespeare scripts.

Theatre groups across the world, particularly in England, are working on similar reconstructions during this anniversary year. Ms Durban said Australian theatre had a different approach to his work.

“I think people’s attitude to Shakespeare is different in Australia. Because he is an import here, we bring a lot of freshness to the interpretation. We’re not afraid to be bold, so I think Margaret of Anjou suits us because we’re always of the side of the rebel,” she said.

Actor Fae O’Toole, who plays Margaret in the first act, said playing Shakespeare had brought her closer to the 16^th century playwright after being “estranged” from him at school.

“The way Shakespeare is taught in schools is abysmal because it’s too literary and it needs to be performed. Shakespeare needs to be brought to life so it’s not just words on a page.”

Ms O’Toole said the play reminded her the human experience had remained the same throughout the ages.

“Shakespeare is an actor’s dream because the words are so rich and playful. He’s 400 years away from us but he feels so close and his works cover the entire human spectrum,” she said.

She said she had enjoyed channelling the power character that was Margaret of Anjou.

“She is such a cool character. She is so now. She has the heart of a lion. She’s Game of Thrones, she’s Cersei Lannister,” she said.

“You really just have to look at the men around her to understand why she has to be so fiery.”

Margaret of Anjou will be performed this Saturday April 23, the anniversary date of Shakespeare’s death in 1616. It will run 4pm-5pm. Tickets are free, but bookings are requested by phoning 5320 5858 or online at artgalleryofballarat.com.au

The gallery will also host a songs and sonnets performance at 2.30pm by Ballarat a cappella group VOX.