West Yorkshire Playhouse Presents Macbeth
One of Shakespeare’s bloodiest plays and considered by many to be his darkest work, Macbeth is the last of Shakespeare’s tragedies and is directed by Ian Brown in a major new production for West Yorkshire Playhouse (23 February – 24 March). Architect of his own destruction, Macbeth will be played by David Westhead. Written in 1606 for James I, this tale of ambition and betrayal, tells of the rise and fall of a once great man. Husband to a loving wife, Macbeth is a military hero with the respect of his peers and most importantly his King. His future is promising until a prophetic encounter with three witches leads him down a path of self-destruction from which there can be no return. His ruthless ambition to be King, spurred on by the treacherous determination of his wife, turns him from loyal soldier to cold-blooded murderer, and ensures that he loses everything that he once treasured.
David Westhead in a rare theatre role leads a cast of twelve. Better known of late for his work on television he was most recently in the BBC film Gideon’s Daughter and previously played Brian Middleton in popular Granada drama Life Begins. His previous theatre credits include Talk Of The City (RSC), The Prince’s Play (The National Theatre) and Mojo (The Royal Court). Lady Macbeth is played by Michelle Fairley. Her theatre credits include Gates Of Gold (Trafalgar Studios) and The Wild Duck (Donmar Warehouse).
Matthew Flynn plays Banquo and returns to the Playhouse following his role as Stewart in last season’s production of How Many Miles To Basra? He has also performed in many productions with Propellor, Edward Hall’s all-male theatre company. Anthony Byrne plays Macduff. He also returns to the Playhouse following his role in Ian Brown’s Twelfth Night in 2005. He most recently played the lead in Henry VIII (part of the RSC’s Complete Works Season). Phil Cheadle whose previous credits include The Changeling (Cheek by Jowl) plays Malcolm.
Playing Duncan is Andy Hockley who recently appeared in Ian Brown’s Alice In Wonderland (Birmingham Rep) and played Mr Micawber in David Copperfield at West Yorkshire Playhouse in 2005. Two Witches are played by men, Daniel Abelson (Shadow Of A Gunman, Glasgow Citizen’s Theatre and Guy Fawkes 5/11, Chichester Festival Theatre), Shane Zaza (Players, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Dead Eye, Birmingham Rep/Soho Theatre, Billy Liar, Liverpool Playhouse and Mercury Fur, Paines Plough) and the third by Frances Albery in her professional debut. The rest of the cast comprises James Staddon as Ross, Christian Bradley as Lennox and Alex Waldmann as Donaldbain.
Ian Brown is Artistic Director of West Yorkshire Playhouse. His return to Shakespearean tragedy follows his staging of three other Shakespeare plays at West Yorkshire Playhouse – Twelfth Night (2005), Hamlet (2002) starring Christopher Eccleston and The Comedy Of Errors (2001). His previous artistic collaborations with Designer Ruari Murchison include Alice In Wonderland last Christmas at West Yorkshire Playhouse and this year at Birmingham Rep and The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe for Christmas 2004.
Ruari Murchison’s dark and powerfully industrial set is the backdrop for the sinister and unworldly tale that unravels. Macbeth features video projection designed by Sound Designer Mic Pool, Associate Director (Creative Technology) at the Playhouse. Lighting is designed by Guy Hoare.
23 February – 24 March (7.30PM).
