NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE
Directed by Ed Hughes
Sat 13 September 2014 - Sat 29 November 2014
Something wicked this way comes
Shakespeare’s darkest tale of paranoia and ambition is given a unique twist in this electrifying adaptation directed by Ed Hughes.
Set within an unstable Europe in the lead up to the First World War, our tragedy takes us behind enemy lines as a tormented Macbeth’s severe intentions lead to dire consequences. As empires rise and fall, this new take on a Shakespearean classic will echo present day divisions to thrilling effect.
Ambassadors Theatre
West Street, London WC2H 9ND
CREATIVE TEAM
Directed by Ed Hughes
Assistant Director: Alice Knight
Designer: James Button
Movement Director: Andrea Pelaez
Composer: Jim Hustwitt
MACBETH REVIEWS
"Macbeth is a model of clarity, brevity and strong classical acting. The director Ed Hughes applies a concept to it with intelligence and purpose, setting it on the eve of the First World War. Just as those events, precipitated by an assassination, led to a global war, so Macbeth begins with Macbeth's murder of King Duncan to take the throne of Scotland - and an inexorable tragedy unfolds culminating in civil war.
The production is staged with uncluttered urgency on a stage that's mostly bare except for surrounding grey curtains. Atmosphere and changes of location are swiftly provided by Adam Povey's lighting design.
Instead, the focus is entirely on the young actors here, who handle Shakespearean language with complete fluency and command, with superb performances from Jeremy Neumark Jones as Macbeth, Sophie Dyke as Lady Macbeth, Grace Chilton as Porter, and Dominic Grove as Duncan."
MARK SHENTON Whatsonstage
Ed Hughes’ concise adaptation offers up the best of the bunch for the season, the bold thematic vision working well and releasing the play from any dusty RP connotations. From the outset as Grace Chilton borrows the spirit of Alan Cumming’s iconic Emcee to the haunting presence of Lady Macbeth’s ghost during a key moment, Hughes’ liberating attitude (he also directs) makes this a rapid-fire success which pays its own tribute to the WWI anniversary as well as crackling with youthful energy... Go at once.
There Ought to Be Clowns
"I’m somewhat ashamed to say that this was the first time that I had seen a production by the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain. What I can say with certainty, is that it won’t be my last. Macbeth was a triumphant and vibrant success fuelled by the energy of the young and highly talented cast. "
Reviewing Shakespeare
WYDHAM'S THEATRE WEST END
Directed by Harry Burton
Welcome to the criminal blunder-world!
Freedom finally beckons for delinquent villain Algie Packer. He’s done seven years inside and now he’s coming home to spend his carefully stashed cash - £3.5 million in untraceable notes. But there’s something Algie’s family has forgotten to mention...
Meet the Packers - just your perfectly average, totally dysfunctional, ‘well-dodgy’ Essex crime family with a BIG problem. Are they going to be able to cover their tracks before Algie arrives home? Maybe it’s time to go on the run...
Catch Lee Evans, Sheila Hancock, Keeley Hawes, Karl Johnson and Montserrat Lombard in the world premiere of this uproariously funny play.
Clive Exton’s writing credits include the highly-acclaimed film 10 Rillington Place, Poirot and Jeeves and Wooster.
Director Harry Burton
Design Simon Higlett
Lighting James Farncombe
Sound Gareth Owen
Casting Anne Vosser
Movement Consultant Andrea Pelaez
OVALHOUSE & MOONGATE PRODUCTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH MARK CARTWRIGHT
The Fu Manchu Complex by Daniel York
by Daniel York
Challenging the 'Yellow Peril' racist stereotype, five East Asian actors white up to play the traditional colonials in this hilarious murder mystery in the East End, using physical comedy and the style of the Victorian music hall in a pastiche of classic British cinema.
Writer - Daniel York
Director - Justin Audibert
Producer - Mark Cartwright
Creative Producer - Jennifer Lim
Movement Director - Andrea Pelaez
Cast:
Paul Chan
Chipo Chung
Andrew Koji
Jennifer Lim
Moj Taylor
“...Brings to life an uneasy British past where the subjugation of whole races and dominance at any human cost of precious land and assets was the top priorityinventiveincredibly guiltily hilarious” The Public Reviews
“Funny, often outrageously so.an accomplished castThe Fu Manchu Complex will make you laugh and make you think” There Ought To Be Clowns
“Works extremely well in satirising stereotypical thinking and the colonialist idea” British Theatre Guide
“If you enjoy The Book of Mormon style of comedy then this show is for you. A clever piece performed by 5 strong actors...addresses the historical and extremely racist representations of Chinese in literature and on stage by the Brits and allows five talented actors of East Asian descent to break loose from the pigeonholing that still inflicts them today. ..clever and funny” Everything Theatre
“Compelling” “Unnerving” What’s On Stage
