Even if you've never seen it, chances are you've heard of William Shakespeare's famous tragedy Macbeth.
After untold thousands of performances over the last 418 years since its debut in 1606, Ladysmith Secondary School Performing Arts program is offering the community their version. The show is a reworked telling of Shakespeare’s masterpiece, featuring the talents of the school’s band program. This unique angle on Macbeth, which will run on June 13, 14 and 15, will be performed in the theatre room at the high school. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m.
The Parallel Players theatre troupe has produced many shows at LSS over the years, however, due to the barriers presented by the COVID-19 pandemic the program has not put on a show since 2019.
"The young performers hope to see the community supporting the students who have worked to bring back the LSS theatre scene with this new and upbeat production of Macbeth,” said director and teacher William Taylor.
The show, titled A Conversation with Macbeth, works to analyze the use of Shakespearean language in modern contexts, and the intricacies of societal gender expectations.
“Shakespeare remains as relevant today as ever. I am grateful to see the work come alive through the hearts and minds of this wonderful young cast,” said Taylor.
The abridged version of the show was edited by the students and focuses on the intense marital dynamic of the two titular characters, and the many forms of the supernatural forces that tempt them.
“As you will see, we made a lot of bold creative choices with the music in the play. We want to really think about how the media we consume influences us, and throughout history music has always held that power over society,” said actor Caidence Burns.
“We hope to have our audience reflect on the themes explored in the play. The audience will be sat at small tables, to encourage conversation over tea and coffee,” Taylor said. “Our night will be opened by musical performances from students. We are honoured to help bring back the theatrical arts to the community, and give the youth time and space to share their voices."
Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 either at Salamander Books or at the high school’s main office, or at the door before the show.
