Macbeth arrives at Oxford Playhouse from Tue 12 to Sat 16 March and is directed by the Artistic Director & CEO of English Touring Theatre Richard Twyman. It is theatre company’s first international production since the pandemic. It travels to Oxford after previews last year at Shakespeare North Playhouse in a design unique to its space.
We spoke to Mike Noble who plays the titular character of Macbeth.
- Macbeth has been a big hit on tour and is now coming to Oxford Playhouse, what can you tell us about the show?
This is a really fun, dynamic, entertaining and modern telling of Macbeth which focuses heavily on the relationship between him and his wife. It’s a very domestic setting where we explore what happens when the violence of war invades the home.
- This is a modern reworking of Shakespeare’s tragic play, what differences can audiences expect from ETT’s production?
Well, it’s modern dress, we use a lot of video and music to underscore and support the storytelling. There have been some cuts and edits in order to highlight certain elements but it’s all the same dialogue, themes and story. I guess it’s only really different in the sense that every production of this incredible play is different from the other. There is no one way to tell it which is why it has stood the test of time.
- The production has been described as ‘Succession meets Fleabag’, what can you tell us about this version of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth that we will see on stage?
I think that was an interesting quote in that Fleabag uses direct audience address just like Shakespeare does with his Soliloquies and Succession obviously has echoes of King Lear, Macbeth, a bunch of the tragedies really. It’s cool that people are noticing and finding our show as relatable as these big hit TV shows.
I think the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is central to the success of the play. We need to believe in them as husband and wife, deeply in love with a rich, shared history who will literally do anything for each other. I think in the best versions of the play you find yourself rooting for them first and being repulsed by them second and hopefully our production achieves that.
- It looks like a unique setting for Macbeth, what can you tell us about the visuals of the show?
We use live video feeds throughout the show that hopefully give the audience different perspectives on the inner workings of the characters. Some of it is CCTV showing private conversations which are laid bare or spied upon in a paranoid surveillance state. I think it makes for a feast visually and always keeps the audience as engaged and immersed in the characters as possible.
- What has surprised you most working on this production?
This is my first time working on a Shakespeare play and I finally get it. There is no definitive idea, no definitive telling – I literally learn and unlock something new every week, every show. It’s an unbelievable pleasure and privilege to perform.
- What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Macbeth?
What are you waiting for?