One of Shakespeare’s best known tragedies, ‘Macbeth’ has its first ever outing at the hands of the Wilmslow Green Room players, unusual when one considers the WGR’s fine custom and talent for regularly performing the Bard’s work.
Whilst this drama’s themes of ambition, treachery and guilt may be universal in time and therefore often presented in a modern day setting, director Ronnie Dykstra is maintaining a traditional feel and has set it in the 11th century.
Macbeth (Bryn Thomas) and Banquo (Steve Williamson) come upon three witches (Jill Ollerenshaw, Celia Bonner and Linda Batson). The witches proclaim three prophecies: they tell Macbeth he is ‘Thane of Cawdor’, a title not yet bestowed upon him by King Duncan (Mike Bullimore); they pronounce he will soon be king; and finally they tell Banquo that he will father a future lineage of kings.
The first prophecy is quickly established by Ross (Ian McBride), the king’s envoy who arrives with the conferment of Macbeth’s new title which straight away makes Macbeth ambitious for the royal throne. Eager for power and position, his wife, Lady Macbeth (Alexandra Johnson) conspires with Macbeth to kill the king and thereafter plants bloody evidence on the king’s own servants to point the blame at them.
When the king’s body is discovered by nobleman Macduff (Alex Bingle), Macbeth feigns anger at the treacherous deed they’ve supposedly committed and admits to having murdered the servants in revenge. Macduff is suspicious but when the king’s own sons – Malcolm (Angus Macalister) and Donalbain (Laurie Johnson) flee, suspicion falls on them and Macbeth succeeds to the throne as the new king of Scotland. And so the second prophecy is realised. Recognising that the witches’ third prophecy will also surely come true, Macbeth sets about scheming the demise of his friend Banquo.
Further fatal turmoil ensues but eventually, wracked with guilt and desperation at what they’ve both done, Macbeth and his wife are tortured by their troubled consciences which ultimately can only lead to their own tragic downfalls.
Directed by Ronnie Dykstra, the Wilmslow Green Room players are looking forward to welcoming you to their production of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ which runs from Saturday March 19th to Saturday March 26th. Tickets can be purchased on Saturday mornings at the Green Room theatre between 10.30am and 12 noon or via the ticket hotline 01625 540933.
Photo: Macbeth (Bryn Thomas) with the 3 witches - L to R = Linda Batson, Celia Bonner & Jill Ollerenshaw.
