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Scottish Star Sam Heughan Leads Powerful "Macbeth" Production in Stratford
16 Oct
Summary
- Contemporary staging of "Macbeth" set in 1990s Glasgow
- Heughan stars in modern, casual attire in intimate, in-the-round configuration
- Director draws inspiration from Scottish cinema and psychological horror
A bold new production of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" has arrived in Stratford-upon-Avon, offering a contemporary reimagining of the classic tragedy. Directed by Daniel Raggett, the staging relocates the story to the working-class neighborhoods of 1990s Glasgow, framing the power struggle through the lens of gang conflicts and family feuds.
Scottish actor Sam Heughan takes the lead role, appearing in casual modern clothing that contrasts with the play's violent narrative. The set features a detailed bar environment, complete with bottles, fluorescent tubes, and an intimate in-the-round configuration that brings audiences close to the action.
Raggett has drawn inspiration from the work of Scottish filmmaker Peter Mullan, Francis Ford Coppola's "Godfather" films, and recent psychological horror cinema like Ari Aster's "Hereditary." The production's design, captured in Helen Murray's moody photographs, utilizes stark lighting and a stripped-down aesthetic to heighten the intensity of the drama.
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Lia Williams stars as Lady Macbeth in an entirely Scottish cast that spans multiple generations, including Alec Newman as Macduff, Nicholas Karimi as Banquo, and Alison Peebles, Eilidh Fisher, and Irene Macdougall as the three witches.
