Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Wednesday 26 & Thursday 27 April, ARC Stockton Arts Centre
This April, The Northern School of Art is proud to present the classical tragedy Macbeth. This contemporary production following Macbeth after receiving the prophecy from three witches will investigate ambition, desire and the spiritual. This dark and powerful show is an opportunity for 2nd Year Acting students to showcase their abilities and tell this fantastic story afresh. This is a collaboration between the wide range of Stage & Screen Programmes at The Northern School of Art including Acting, Film, TV & Theatre Production, Production Design and Costume Interpretation with Design.
Faculty Leader for Stage and Screen Jonny Bussell said: ‘This is a really exciting production showing all of the different disciplines within our stage and screen faculty. Our 2nd year actors are a really strong year group who are doing brilliantly in rehearsals and the play is really coming to life. The set and costume design departments have everything coming together and all involved are keen to show what we’ve been working on.’
The production will be presented live at ARC from Wed 26 – Thur 27 April at 7pm, and can also be viewed as a live stream online on Thur 27 April with multiple cameras in the style of a National Theatre Live broadcast. Jonny continued: ‘The Film, TV & Theatre students are doing the tech for the theatre performance but also are working hard on putting together shots and technical aspects ready for the livestream. It is a real technical and creative challenge for the students but they’re already putting together some really cool sections when we’ve had them in filming’.
Alex Wallace from Doncaster who is playing Macbeth said of the style of the interpretation: ‘It is set in the modern day, but we keep the language the same. But what makes this interpretation different to others is that a lot of the male roles have been given to women. For example, myself being a woman playing a traditionally male role. The Northern School of Art do gender blind casting which I think is amazing! The men in the 1600s played women, so why can’t the women play men now!.’
Darcey Dawson from Derbyshire is playing Lady Macbeth and says of the rehearsal process: ‘I’m really enjoying rehearsals, it’s a fun, friendly and creative environment that allows us to play and focus. It’s a judgement free zone where we experiment with different ways of performing a scene. Shakespeare can be scary but in rehearsals we approach it slowly and clearly so that everyone is on the same page and completely understands their lines and scenes.’
Elen Bodey from North Wales stated: ‘For our interpretation of Macbeth, the witches play a bigger part than other productions. They are also inspired by the cult in the film Midsomer, which is a really exciting concept. This is effective as Macbeth is constantly on edge and it gives the play an overall eerie tone.’
The play is a classic tragedy but the creative team have aimed to make it accessible and dynamic. Darcey stated: ‘You should come and see Macbeth because it is different from every other adaptation of the play that I have watched, taking elements of them but changing them to fit our aesthetic. It’s bloody, chaotic and full of witchy mayhem… what’s not to love!’
This production is part of the continued partnership between The Northern School of Art and ARC.
Macbeth is priced on a Pay What You Decide basis, meaning that tickets are available to book in advance as usual, but there is no obligation for you to pay until after you have seen the show, and how much you pay is completely up to you. Book tickets to see the show in person (Wed 26 or Thur 27 Apr), or via live stream (Thur 27 Apr only).