Thursday, May 14: This winter, Auckland Theatre Company presents MACBETH by William Shakespeare, from July 28 until August 22, at the ASB Waterfront Theatre.

Based on a Scottish legend in Shakespeare’s day, this 420-year-old story remains deeply relatable for the Game of Thrones generation, as a power-hungry couple is undone by greed, ambition and lust for power.

In this opulent, large-scale production audiences will be plunged into a mystical yet grimy underground world in this modern presentation of Shakespeare’s iconic text.

“What Shakespeare has given us with Macbeth is the OG crime thriller. This is the play that’s got everything – it's got all the thrill rides of a horror movie” says director Benjamin Kilby-Henson (Romeo & Juliet, The Effect, King Lear).

Two electrifying performers portray the twisted, toxic partnership between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Mark Mitchinson (Crackhead, The Mummy, A Remarkable Place to Die) brings his magnetic screen presence to the stage as the tormented Macbeth. Sara Wiseman (The Effect, A Place to Call Home, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) will take on Shakespeare’s most complex and coveted female role with her trademark intensity and grace.

Mitchinson and Wiseman are joined by a stellar cast of leading Kiwi actors - Alison Bruce, Keagan Carr Fransch, Travis Graham, Marianne Infante, Robert Pollock, Maaka Pohatu, Jeff Szusterman, Amanda Tito and Lauie Tofa.

In a chilling twist to what is already the most supernatural and sinister of Shakespeare’s plays, nine child actors (on rotation) will play the witches, plus an ensemble of eighteen youth performers from the ATC Youth Company and Unitec School of Creative Industries round out the cast.

Shakespeare’s timeless themes continue to affirm the relevance of his works, as evidenced by the registration of over 5,500 ākonga for nine dedicated school matinée performances of this production.

Jonathan Bielski, Auckland Theatre Company Artistic Director & CEO said: “Shakespeare’s universal themes still hold relevance in today’s classrooms despite being written over four centuries ago. We’ve heard from teachers that experiencing a live performance inspires and engages their students, and we couldn’t be happier to see our theatre brimming with youthful energy.”

Experience this bold new production of Shakespeare’s great tragedy in this strictly limited Auckland season.

Cast:

Alison Bruce – Lennox & Dying Captain

Keagan Carr Fransch – Ross

Travis Graham – Malcolm

Marianne Infante – Lady Macduff

Mark Mitchinson – Macbeth

Robert Pollock – King Duncan

Maaka Pohatu – Macduff

Jeff Szusterman – Banquo

Amanda Tito – Porter

Lauie Tofa – Donnalbain

Sara Wiseman – Lady Macbeth

Travis Graham – Malcolm

The Witches will be played by nine child actors across three covens: Thunder, Lightning and Rain. Casting to be announced.

Ensemble:

18 actors in training from the ATC Youth Company and Unitec School of Creative Industries performing in two nine-member groups.

Team Harpies: Nadine Akimana, Christie Blair, Antacia D'Costa, Emma Jackson, Saffiya Johnson, Zoe Ritchie, MJ Salesa, Nesta Vaaelua, Ben Way

Team Graylings: Liam Ashby, Shayla Hann, Violet King, Erica Latu, Molly Last, Inaya Sinclair, Cole Wilkinson, Fred Williams, Nieve Wilson

Creative Team:

Playwright - William Shakespeare

Direction – Benjamin Kilby-Henson

Set Design – Dan Williams

Lighting Design – Rachel Marlow & Bradley Gledhill / Filament Eleven 11

Costume Design – Elizabeth Whiting

Composer & Sound Design – Robin Kelly

Movement Direction – Katrina George

Voice Direction – Cherie Moore

Intimacy Co-ordinator – Miriama McDowell

Engine Room Assistant Director and Resident Director – Sepelini Mua’au

Engine Room Assistant Designer – Talia Pua

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Tuesday, July 28 until Saturday, August 22

ASB Waterfront Theatre, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland

Tickets and info atc.co.nz 09 309 3395

Advisory: Contains depictions of violence, infanticide and death.

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