By Ambar Madhok, Third Year English
I spoke to members of the InterAct production team and cast to provide an insight into why Macbeth is worth watching and what is different about this particular production.
Why choose Macbeth, what is the appeal for audiences?
Director James Hattan told me the appeal of Macbeth to him is that many people have studied it at one point or another, so as many people have a general understanding, it creates a space for having fun and doing more ‘abstract’ things without having to lay out the plot all the time.
Moreover, Shakespeare’s works and themes are timeless, as James discussed how in order to critique many of the political situations within England at the time, he had to set the plays in other contexts – yet the values that are discussed throughout are universal. Alongside this, there is a freedom within the universality of Shakespeare that allows for a specific aspect to be drawn out of the writing.
What is unique about this adaptation of Macbeth?
This particular play has a large focus on mental health and how elements of PTSD affect Macbeth’s character. James pointed out how he’s noticed many productions highlighting the trauma that occurs during the play, but not on how it formed beforehand, as productions tend to brush over Macbeth having been at war for years before the play begins.
However, Jamie Schneider, playing Macbeth, relayed that this angle allows for more nuances to be drawn out, but pointed out how Macbeth in this production is not as sympathetic as he can sometimes be depicted as. He discussed how there is often a perception of Macbeth being a victim, but it is very much about his ‘choices and ambition’ which lead to his eventual downfall, and how he is fundamentally a bad person due to his actions.
Another major thematic point this production will focus on is the impact of child loss. Sophia Fantozzie, playing Lady Macbeth, noted that there will be a large exploration of Lady Macbeth’s ‘vulnerability and fear’ due to this, and how this will be translated into ‘anger and ambition’. She discussed how her ambition comes from this trauma and she has an immense ‘hunger’ which hardens to provide a purpose. Moreover, the staging in the round alongside the novel lighting and sound design should heighten many of these vulnerable moments and allow for a more ‘visceral’ connection with the audience.
Moreover, the nature of this shared grief between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth will be a major point of this adaptation, with much more ‘charge’ underlying their relationship.
‘[It] should be like your favourite Netflix drama on stage’
Are there any specific symbolic motifs to be aware of when watching?
James discussed having made some cuts to the script to help make the play as ‘slick as possible’ – descriptive elements have been cut, but not fundamental plot points. The play itself will be an hour and a half straight run without an interval, and ‘should be like your favourite Netflix drama on stage’. Co-producer, Cleo French, discussed how a unique aspect of this production is that it could be a completely new play because of the use of sound design which she feels adds a whole other ‘language’ to it. She discussed how Macbeth’s psyche is translated into the sound design throughout. Additionally, assistant director, Hattie Parkinson, relayed how there will be an interesting use of microphones to showcase public and private moments throughout.
Ambar Madhok
Charles Hubbard
Overall, this production of Macbeth is not one to miss. InterAct theatre company provides the opportunity for theatre students to utilise many of the practical skills and facilities they learn during their course. Moreover, much of this production team and cast are first year students, so it's a lovely way to support students who may not have had the opportunity to work on a production as large scale as this before. In James’ words, this adaptation will be ‘gritty’, ‘gory’, and ‘exciting’!
Macbeth is ‘InterAct's’ second production this year, running from 18th to 20th February in the Wickham Theatre.
Featured image: InterAct / Emma Conway
Will you watch InterAct's ‘Macbeth’?
