Theatre / macbeth
Acclaimed adaptation of ‘The Scottish Play’ comes to Bristol Old Vic
Macbeth – superstitiously dubbed ‘the Scottish play’ – remains once of The Bard’s most enthralling and psychologically complex plays.
Against a landscape of violence, grief and a pervasive and claustrophobic sense of the uncanny, the story follows the Macbeths as they risk succumbing to the corruptible influence of power.
Seeing an (illegal) opportunity to seize the crown, the pair become haunted not only by their misdeeds, but by Nature herself.
is needed now More than ever
Mike Noble as Macbeth and Laura Elsworthy as Lady Macbeth
From English Touring Theatre, in association with Bristol Old Vic, Richard Twyman directs an adaptation that has been garnering rave reviews for its visceral contemporary interpretation of Shakespeare’s work.
Widely thought to have been first performed well over 400 years ago, in 1606, the key tenets of Macbeth nevertheless still speak to the endemic corruption in society today.
Mike Noble as Macbeth and Laura Elsworthy as Lady Macbeth
In ETT’s introduction to the show, they contend that it asks “why has Macbeth haunted our fears and nightmares for centuries, and what lesson is this cautionary tale still urgently trying to communicate to us?”
The ensemble features Mike Noble as Macbeth, Laura Elsworthy as Lady Macbeth, Guy Rhys as Macduff, Ross Waiton as Duncan, Hayley Konadu as Malcolm, Brian Lonsdale as Banquo, Coral Sinclair as Lady Macduff, Nadi Kemp-Sayfi as Lennox and Leo Wan as Ross.
Shakespeare’s Macbeth (age recommendation 12+) is at Bristol Old Vic from January 25-February 10 at 7.30pm, with additional 2.30pm matinee shows on Thursday and Saturday (no shows on Sunday). Ticket availability is limited; check www.bristololdvic.org.uk for details.
All photos: The Other Richard
Read next:
- Review: Macbeth, Tobacco Factory Theatres
- Review: Macbeth, Alma Tavern Theatre
- Review: Macbeth, Redcliffe Caves
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