Bloody Power Play
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Lust for power and the evil within will be explored when Bell Shakespeare Company returns to Geelong to stage the classic tragedy Macbeth next week
A haunting, metaphysical play that examines the darker sides of humanity, Macbeth, Shakespeare's most bloody work, will be brought into terrifying contemporary relevance under the hand of company artistic director and founder, John Bell.
The tragedy's title character is an ambitious soldier whose life is changed forever by the prophecies of three witches he encounters while returning from the battlefield. A murderous chain of events follows as Macbeth sets upon his goal of becoming King of Scotland.
Driven by an insatiable hunger for power, posterity and certainty, the actions of Macbeth and his wife set in motion the inevitable unraveling of their own humanity. With blood on their hands, they face the dire consequences of the natural order disturbed.
Bell has cast company regular and rising star Sean O'Shea in the role of the power-hungry and deeply flawed title character, while experienced stage and screen actress Linda Cropper (Little Fish, Blackrock, Wildside) portrays his partner in life - and crime - Lady Macbeth. David Whitney, Richard Sydenham and Robert Alexander also feature in the large cast.
The haunting thriller is designed to have audiences pondering over the forces that govern our lives while presenting a terrifying portrayal of moral collapse.
Bell Shakespeare Company's production of Macbeth, will be staged in the Ford Theatre as part of GPAC's Alcoa Theatre Season, on april 19, 20 and 21 at 8pm, with a 2pm matinee on Saturday, April 21.
The company will also stage a special schools show where students will be able to participate in a question and answer session with the cast and crew after a performance of the play.
Tickets range from $46 for adults to $16 for under 18, and can be booked through GPAC on 5225 1200
- Elise Potter, Geelong Advertiser, Tuesday 10 April 2007