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By CategoryMacbeth
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MacbethA Classic Tale with a Modern Edge
2005-11-01
Article Written by: Jillian Smith
William Shakespeare’s body of work, which includes thirty-seven plays and 154 sonnets, is so immense and brilliant that it has undeniably and profoundly affected the course of Western literature and culture. In stage productions, in print, and even in our language and conversations, his impact on the world of art can still be seen today. (In fact, he is so entrenched in our world that some people don’t even realize when they are quoting Shakespeare. “All the world’s a stage.” “The world is mine oyster.” “To thine own self be true.” These phrases and others prove how truly timeless his works are.) The major complaint that people seem to have with Shakespeare, though, is that he is difficult to understand and relate to. To alleviate this problem, The DBCC Humanities, Cultural and Studio Arts Department is presenting the classic “Macbeth” with a more modern twist.
Shakespeare’s shortest and bloodiest tragedy, “Macbeth” tells the story of a brave Scottish general named Macbeth who receives a prophecy from a trio of sinister witches that one day he will become king of Scotland. Consumed with ambitious thoughts and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and seizes the throne for himself. He begins his reign wracked with guilt and fear and soon becomes a tyrannical ruler, as he is forced to commit more and more murders to protect himself from enmity and suspicion. The bloodbath swiftly propels Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to arrogance, madness, and eventually death.
The original “Macbeth” takes place at various locations throughout Scotland and England in The Middle Ages, more specifically around the eleventh century. In this production, however, director David Peshek brings this story to a present-times jungle. Without giving away too much about the updated rendition, let me assure you that all the major themes and characters that have fascinated and shocked audiences for nearly four hundred years are still alive and well. They have just been brought into our current global and military situations. The character of Macbeth (Carlos Morales) still struggles with the opposition of his ambitions and his sense of right and wrong. The three sinister witches (Teri Brinklow, Summer Howell and Annie Polzella) are as disturbing and creepy as ever. And as for Lady Macbeth (Rachel Lane), because her own ambition affects her more strongly than it does Macbeth before he kills Duncan (Minas Fakrajian), the unbearable guilt plagues her even more strongly afterward. By the close of the play, she’s sleepwalking and desperately trying to wash away an invisible bloodstain!
It doesn’t matter if you are a Shakespeare buff who wants to see a new interpretation of an old favorite or just a fan of tales that are littered with violence, manipulation and supernatural phenomenon, this is one production you don’t want to miss. Regardless of what time the play is set in, the story of murder, madness and death remains the same, and the talent at DBCC really brings the action to life. “Macbeth” will be running November 3rd, 4th and 5th at 7:30 p.m. in the J.M. Goddard Center at DBCC.
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