MACBETH
Witches! Ghosts! Murder! A forest that moves! It can only be Macbeth. Shakespeare’s tale of misplaced ambition, untrammeled desire and psychological horror comes to South Wales stages this month as Pontardawe Arts Centre take their production of Macbeth on tour.
This production is part of Pontardawe Art Centre’s Shake it Up – a project which aims to bring modern interpretations of Shakespeare’s work to as wide an audience as possible.
Derek Cobley’s production is set in modern day Afghanistan, and aims to draw parallels between the conflict there and the themes of Macbeth, most potently the reckless pursuit of personal ambition without thought for the consequences. By showing that its themes resonate today, the company hopes to demonstrate to younger audiences that these plays have that most important of funding criteria: relevance. Certainly a play which asks questions about the legitimacy of political leadership is not lacking in relevance to today’s society. And if all that fails to entice you then there’s also a bawdy scene featuring a drunken porter pontificating on the nature of alcohol and desire.
Is Macbeth mad, or are the witches real? Is that really Banquo’s ghost, or a figment of the king’s conscience? Macbeth challenges audiences to ask questions about power and desire and proves there are no easy answers.
Words: David Griffiths
MACBETH
Tickets: £5-£9. Info: www.nptartsandevents.co.uk/macbeth
Pontardawe Arts Centre
Mon 23 – Fri 27 Sept
01792 868722
www.pontardaweartscentre.com
Memo Arts Centre
Mon 30 Sept & Tues 1 Oct
01446 738622
www.memorialhalltheatre.co.uk
Ystradgynlais Welfare Hall
Wed 2 & Thurs 3 Oct
01639 843163
www.thewelfare.co.uk
The Muni Arts Centre
Mon7 Oct & Tues 8 Oct
01443 485934
www.muni.rct-arts.org
The Metropole
Wed 9 Oct & Thurs10 Oct
01495 322510
www.the-met.co.uk