Campbelltown Theatre Group is moving to bring down the tyrant Macbeth with a high tension version of the play that incorporates professionally choreographed sword fighting, and stunning costuming.
The cast has been drawn from across Sydney, and stars John Michael Narres as Macbeth, and Jane Anderson as Lady Macbeth.
This story of naked ambition, deceit, murder, and catastrophe will be the perfect introduction to Shakespeare for students and older theatre goers alike.
“There’s only one way to truly fall in love with the plays of William Shakespeare, and that is to enjoy them on stage,” said director Felicity Burke.
“While there is violence in this 400-year-old play, there’s also poetry and fun. It’s not our desire to lead audiences into the pits of Macbeth’s hell and leave them there to rot. There is always a place for humor in these master works of English literature,” she added.
Macarthur is experiencing a huge population boom, and it is showing in demand for good quality theatre. What better way to meet that need than through Macbeth?
Theatre Now had a chat with Felicity Burke about the play.
Q: This is your first time directing Shakespeare, has that created challenges, or have you enjoyed the freedom to interpret?
FELICITY: It is daunting to take on such a well-loved tragedy. It has been challenging in that we wanted a fast paced and easily understood version for modern audiences. So our team has worked with a shortened script, sometimes blending scenes, visual projections, sound design and costuming to bring Macbeth into a kind of steampunk era.
Q: What does the tragedy of Macbeth have to say to people today? What does it have to say about the use of power?
FELICITY: The play has lived for 400 years or more because of how it speaks to the human condition. Every day Shakespeare infiltrates our language, we think in his words, we ponder the same problems faced by his characters. In the case of Macbeth his ambition “o’leaps itself” and he catapaults himself into the ultimate position of power. It brings him nothing but torture, betrayal and loss. Have a look at the world leaders and politics today for a reflection on the abuses of power.
Q: Macbeth can get very dark and existential. Is that where this version will travel to?
FELICITY: It can be a dark play. Great tragedies usually are, but it is not without humour. Shakespeare sets a few lines which make you unexpectedly laugh. There is also a lighter scene with a porter which alleviates the grimness. I think the metaphysical aspects of the witches also allow us some fantasy and interpretation of things beyond our world, which can be fun too!
Q: John Michael Narres stars as Macbeth. His years of experience on stage and directing Shakespeare must have been a bonus?
FELICITY: John Michael Narres has been a delight to work with from start to finish. His knowledge of the text and work ethos make my job a lot easier! We have so many wonderful actors in this production, Jane Anderson makes a sinister but charming Lady Macbeth, Joshua Paterson is a canny and upright Banquo, – oh there are just too many to mention and they all play multiple roles.
This production has involved a cast and crew of more than 50 talented people behind the scenes, like Greg Glynn and Peter O’Connell who have created our steampunk castles and special effects; our marvellous props team with Andrew Boland who have fashioned cogs and severed heads and blood SFX, and our wonderful costume crew headed by designer Angela Cascarino. It is really a huge exercise to bring a magnificent play to the stage.
Photo credits: Angela Cascarino
