The Macbeths
The Macbeths is an intimate and intense re-imagining of the Scottish play.
Returning from battle, Macbeth hears a prophesy emboldening him to murder and betray. Compelled by his equally ruthless wife, Macbeth ignores his creeping sense of guilt and hopelessness and attempts to hasten the hand of fate, unwittingly ushering in the downfall of them both.
Using a radically cut version of Shakespeare’s text, this intimate adaptation charts the breakdown of the Macbeths' relationship following an act of murder which at first binds them together and then destroys them.
Dominic Hill’s brutal and intense production tells the Bard’s famous story in a powerfully distilled form. Set entirely on and around the couple’s bed, it explores the destructive relationship at the heart of the story.
First performed in our Circle Studio in 2017 to great acclaim, we’ve collaborated with Urbancroft Films, adapting the show for online audiences to experience at home. Reuniting the original cast (Charlene Boyd and Keith Fleming), the hour-long film captures the feverish energy of the stage performance.
The film of The Macbeths was available to watch from 3- 30 June 2021. Thank you to everyone that booked a ticket and supported the show. We hope you enjoyed this theatre experience from home.
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Cast & Creative Team
Adapted from the play by William Shakespeare
Directed by Dominic Hill and Martyn Robertson
Original stage production directed by Dominic Hill
Filmed by Urbancroft Films
Produced by Citizens TheatreCREATIVE TEAM
Director Dominic Hill
Director Martyn Robertson
Lighting Designer Stuart Jenkins
Dramaturg Frances Poet
Composer Matthew Whiteside
Assistant Director Joanna Bowman
Tom Penny – Sound Design (original stage production)CAST
Charlene Boyd
Keith Fleming
URBANCROFT FILMS
Martyn Robertson – Creative Director
Louise Storrie – Company Producer
Julian Schwanitz – Director of Photography
Jamie Dempster - Camera Operator
Jonathon McLoone - Sound Recordist
Chris Kinghorn - Camera Assistant
Richard Poet - Editor
Kevin Murray - Dubbing Mixer
Reviews
" for those who like their Shakespeare brilliant, concentrated, and brief, this version of The Macbeths offers a rare and thrilling treat"
- The Scotsman on The Macbeths Film
"a dark and demonic triumph of theatre in the Covid era"
- The National on The Macbeths Film
“Charlene Boyd and Keith Fleming as the deadly lovers bring a frankly terrifying erotic charge.”
- Stagedoor on The Macbeths Film
”...a sweaty, erotic and breathlessly self-destructive re-imagining”
- The Herald on The Macbeths 2017
”...a rich evening of theatre for anyone who loves Macbeth, and also loves to see it reborn, in ever more challenging forms.”
- The Scotsman on The Macbeths 2017
Press
Mark Brown spoke to the cast of The Macbeths about reimagining this show for online audiences.
The National: Dominic Hill’s The Macbeths makes the transition from stage to screen
Charlene Boyd on reprising her role as the fiend-like queen & making a film of The Macbeths during a pandemic.
