Something wicked this way comes...
Liz Crosthwaite • Published 13 Jan 2012 16:30
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Macbeth at South Hill Park, Bracknell
.Acclaimed company Icarus Theatre is bringing Shakespeare's bloody tragedy, Macbeth, to the stage at South Hill Park this month.
The show has been on the road since it's Edinburgh Fringe debut in August, and director Max Lewendel explained that the production will have changed somewhat when it begins its 2012 run in Bracknell.
"Every time we go back into the rehearsal room I like to make changes and the cast constantly make changes on tour. I would consider it a constantly evolving piece."
Icarus Theatre are known for their daring productions, and have a strong history of producing innovative Shakespearean productions that retain the Bard's original dialogue, and, in Macbeth's case, music.
"Macbeth is a horror story from the 16th century. We really try to keep that ghost story feel to it. And we always set our Shakespeare in a world next to a world, so it will not be 19th century, patriarchal Scotland, it will be more accessible to contemporary audiences."
Studying Shakespeare is a staple part of every senior school English syllabus, and Max told The Guide that he understood young people's initial lack of enthusiasm for the seemingly dense dialogue and difficult themes.
"What I could tell young people is that the fist time I read Shakespeare in school, I hated it! It needs to be watched, it needs to be seen. It can be better than a Hollywood movie on stage. If they go to see a Shakespeare play and there's someone standing and declaring on stage, it can be very boring, but our production is very dynamic, and it does not matter if they do not understand every word.
"Though some of the best compliments we have had are from people who have never seen Shakespeare before, and they go away from our production saying 'I understood every word'."
Icarus Theatre Company's Macbeth will be at South Hill Park from Wednesday, January 18 to Friday, January 20. Tickets cost 14 from www.southhillpark.org or call 01344 484123 to book.
This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 13 Jan 12
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