Tobacco Factory
Exposing the fragility of the human notions of language and destiny, Macbeth conjures something bloody and primal. Battling elemental forces and their own blind ambition, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are at odds with the natural world, haunted by three unearthly witches and inspired to commit terrible, unnatural acts. Their quest for power for power’s sake leads their bodies and minds to turn against them. The Tobacco Factory’s production in Bristol runs to April 7.
Details:
Director Adele Thomas / Set & Costume Designer Anisha Fields / SoundDesigner Max Pappenheim / Lighting Designer Matthew Graham / Movement & Fight Director Kev McCurdy
Cast:
Banquo Aaron Anthony Macbeth Jonathan McGuinness
Duncan Simon Armstrong Malcolm Jack Riddiford
Lady Macduff Maggie Bain Lady Macbeth Katy Stephens
Porter/Witch Cait Davis Macduff Joseph Tweedale
Ross Mark Letheren Witch/Gentlewoman Laura Waldren
Macbeth speaks to a world we find ourselves living in now; a world in which politicians lie to our faces but no one can plaster over the truth that the planet is threatening to turn on us.
I pull in resolution and begin
To doubt th’equivocation of the fiend
That lies like truth.
Exposing the fragility of the human notions of language and destiny, Macbeth conjures something bloody and primal. Battling elemental forces and their own blind ambition, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are at odds with the natural world, haunted by three unearthly witches and inspired to commit terrible, unnatural acts. Their quest for power for power’s sake leads their bodies and minds to turn against them.
The National Theatre’s production
Following a successful tour to schools and performances in the Dorfman Theatre earlier in 2017, in which nearly 5,000 students saw Macbeth, the production now begins a tour to a further 31 schools and colleges across Doncaster, London, Sunderland and Wakefield. Macbeth is adapted and directed for teenage audiences by Justin Audibert and the production is a bold contemporary retelling of one of Shakespeare’s darkest plays. Amid bloody rebellion and the deafening drums of war, Macbeth and his wife will stop at nothing to fulfil their ambition.
Witchcraft, murder, treason and treachery are all at play in this murky world. The cast includes Nana Amoo-Gottfried, Shazia Nicholls, Gabby Wong, Stephanie Levi John, Adrian Richards, Tamara Camacho, Johndeep More and Kenton Thomas. Speaking about the production director, Justin Audibert said: “Macbeth is a tale of ambition, dark magic, violence and love; the perfect combination for an audience of young adults. We have made our version as exciting and visceral as possible, a truly sensory experience.”
The tour will begin by visiting 15 schools in London, followed by a further 16 schools across Doncaster, Sunderland and Wakefiel. Speaking about the schools tours the National Theatre’s Director of Learning, Alice King-Farlow said: “At the NT we believe that all young people should have the opportunity to take part in theatre and drama while at school and so I am delighted that we’re touring Justin’s contemporary 90 minute adaptation of Macbeth to schools across London and in the North of England this year as part of our new national partnership programme.” The enterprise is backed by money from the Mohn Westlake Foundation, The Ingram Trust, the Archie Sherman Charitable Trust, the Behrens Foundation, and Jill and David Leuw, while the National Theatre recieves financial support from Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Macbeth is on the core reading guide for school exams this year.
RSC’s Macbeth
13 MARCH – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
See our round up of plays and novels that are part of core reading studies in GCSE and A level courses this year that are being staged across the country at http://www.harrymottram.co.uk/?p=2767
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