Macbeth - Director's Cut
by Volcano Theatre Companytheatre, physical-theatre-and-circus
Imaginative, highly physical adaptation pared down to the essentials yet faithful to the pacey, violent character of Shakespeare’s original
about the production
In our version you will see only Shakespeare's Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Whilst the text of the original is cut, the protagonists’ dialogues and soliloquies remain in full. The narrative is a clear, concise and compelling encounter with the consequences of ambition, the misuse of power, the failure of judgement, witchcraft and madness. Audience members take an active part in the Banquet for the appearance of Banquo’s ghost. Featuring a striking design and sensory surprises.
about the artist
Volcano is an artist-led organisation (ACW portfolio company) that explores ideas and social relations through performance, viewing its audiences as active participants. Volcano is a physical theatre company at heart but with a focus on contemporary or re-imagined classic text and devised performance. We have been creating performance since 1988, and touring both in theatre venues and site-specific locations throughout the UK and Internationally, More recently, we have created an Art Haus in a series of disused buildings in our home town (Swansea) and at the Edinburgh Fringe 2017 (The Leith Volcano).
loading calendars
stage dimensions
width: 10 metres
height: 4 metres
depth: 7 metres
Ideally sprung stage.
We require: 41 ways of dimming in total
(X12 FOH) (X29 Overhead)
X12 Cantata F 1200w Fresnel X16 28-50 Profile
Remainder Volcano can supply
Adventurous Adults, school, college and university students studying performance and/ or Macbeth. (Ages 14+)
Drama and theatre studies students interested in Physical Theatre, Devising and Text Adaptation.
Those who enjoy contemporary adaptations of classics.
Shakespeare enthusiasts (should be informed that the production is non-traditional)
Fans of the TV show Hinterland (Macbeth is played by the actor who stars as DC Lloyd Elis)
Those who enjoy physical and devised theatre.
People interested in Welsh and Scottish culture.
They (Macbeth & Lady Macbeth) are a playful pair, each with their own madness – his a manic eye and frenetic energy, hers a trancelike obsession with child-sized dolls. Combined, their love and madnesses lead to the bloody choices of Shakespeare’s anti-heroes. Macbeth | Director’s Cut is a refreshing post-modern take on the internal workings of Shakespeare’s tragic supervillains.
Mairi Phillips is phenomenal in this piece, her charged physicality and her combination of comedy and affliction is utterly enthralling to watch. Her ability to slip from the comedic, crass character into some of Lady Macbeth’s most harrowing soliloquys is mesmerising. One of the best pieces of theatre you will see this year.
Celtic union of the Welsh Alex Harries and Scottish Mairi Phillips play not only an erotically charged Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and a cast of many, but themselves too, moving in and out of Shakespeare's script in a night of sound and fury, signifying plenty.
Clear focused Shakespeare text. Physical movement. Sensory smells. Audience choice to participate for banquet scene.
Pre-show information can be supplied in various formats.
Signed or described performance by advance arrangement with venue.
Post-show talks / Q&As are offered free of charge.
Workshops available on request: Devising Performance, Shakespeare, Physical Theatre.
Negotiable
£1200 per one performance (reduction on multiple days perfs)
ie £2K for 2 days (including matinee)
BO splits negotiable
