Macbeth in the Dark brings together a cast of 10 actors playing over 25 different characters, original music, and the sound engineering wizardry of Dominic Guilfoyle under the direction of Kate Wilson to create a disturbing and unforgettable portrayal of the destructive power of human ambition. For students studying Shakespearean text in either English or Drama, this production resource will provide an accessible way in to understanding Shakespeare’s text. For Queensland-based senior students studying Macbeth for English in 2020 or 2021, the audio-production provides an invaluable opportunity to engage more deeply with the world – and text – of the play in preparation for their external exam. 

The production has received high praise from reviewers, with particular recommendations for it’s potential use within the education context:

While evoking medieval Scotland, the actors have retained their normal speaking voices so when ‘that bloody man’ first speaks in a strong Queensland accent it comes as a surprise, but it speaks strongly to the universality of the themes that the strangeness passes quickly and in facts adds to the strength of the production. And it is a strong production, a very strong production.
– Douglas Sutherland-Bruce, Weekend Notes Perth

Teachers of English will be able to make ready use of it as a highly useful way to navigate the text in class. One of the tougher challenges to engage sixteen-year-olds with Shakespeare lies in the four-hundred-year-old language. The ensemble cast, headed by Rob Pensalvini as the title character, enunciate the text with admirable clarity.
– John Cox, Weekend Notes Adelaide

EDUCATION PACKAGE AVAILABLE

The Macbeth in the Dark Education Package includes:

• A downloadable audio file
• Education resources compiled by QSE’s Education Officer (including Director’s Notes, and practical exercises for the classroom)
• PDF of rehearsal script (edited from the original text by Rob Pensalfini)
• Zoom Q & A with members of the creative team

Cost: $90.00 (introductory price, available through to end of term 4 2020)

Click here to purchase

KEY INFORMATION

Length                                       120 min recording (optional ~ 20 min Q&A)

Suitability                                 Years 9 – 12

For more info email education@qldshakespeare.org