Macbeth comes to the Royal Lyceum

“Foul whisperings are abroad, unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles.”

Shakespeare’s dark and bloody tragedy, Macbeth, tells a tale of one man’s quest for the crown and whose actions create a disturbing and unsettling period of fear and tyranny in medieval Scotland.

Upon his victorious return from battle, Macbeth is met by three witches who give him a tantalising prophecy for his future – he will acquire great power in his homeland, firstly as Thane of Cawdor and then as King of Scotland. Alongside his ambitious and scheming wife, their thirst for ultimate power begins to take control, setting the scene for a bloody royal coup. Driven by a fear of losing his new kingdom, Macbeth centres on the building tensions, paranoia and fear that lead to violence and murder.

Award-winning Scottish actor Liam Brennan (The Winter’s Tale, The Merchant of Venice, Othello) takes the lead role as Macbeth in this thrillingly dark production which kick starts the Lyceum’s new season. Joining Liam on stage is Allison McKenzie (River City) as Lady Macbeth, Jimmy Chisholm (Trumpets & Raspberries, The Merchant of Venice) as King Duncan and Christopher Brand (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, London’s Palladium) as Macduff.

Director Lucy Pitman-Wallace (RSC Sadler’s Wells, York Theatre Royal, Nottingham Playhouse) directs her first Lyceum production with a strong creative team including designer Lucy Osbourne, lighting designer Jenny Kagan and associate artist Philip Pinsky (Glass Menagerie, Living Quarters & The Winter’s Tale) as sound designer and composer.

Macbeth is a co-production with Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company and will transfer to Nottingham Playhouse (22 October – 15 November) after its run at the Lyceum.

Reviewed here by Ros Mackenzie

Book Here or telephone 0131 248 4848.
TICKETS & PERFORMANCES:
Performances: 12 September – 11 October
Evenings: Tuesday – Saturday at 7.45pm
Matinees: 17, 20, 24, 27 September and 1, 4 October at 2.30pm
First Look Friday (preview performance) sponsored by The List: Friday 12 September at 7.45pm – all tickets £5 – on sale now!
Pre-show talk with Owen Dudley Edwards: Tuesday 16 September at 6pm – tickets £3 / under 18s free
Post-show discussion with members of the cast: Tuesday 23 October (FREE)
Audio described performances: Thursday 25 September at 7.45pm & Saturday 27 September at 2.30pm
Touch Tour for the visually impaired: Saturday 27 September at 12.30pm
BSL signed performance: Wednesday 1 October at 7.45pm

PRICES
Evening performances (full price): £12 - £26
Matinee Performances: Wednesday and Saturday Matinees £15
Concessions: £2 off full price for all Tuesday – Thursday shows
Under 18s: Half Price any performance
School Groups: £7.50 (stalls & grand circle). £6.50 (upper circle). Matinees – all seats £6.50. One teacher free with every ten pupils.
Registered unemployed: (Tues – Thurs) half price in advance, £1 tickets available on the day (max 20, stalls only). ID required.
Students/ people with disabilities: Half price (excludes First Look Fridays), £5 for Wed matinees. Wheelchair spaces are available in the stalls boxes. Students – full time only – ID required.
Groups: 8+  £3 off each ticket (matinees £2 off); 20+  £4 off each ticket (matinees £3 off) plus one free ticket.

SPECIAL EVENT – AUTUMN 2008
Friday 3 October at 6pm Tickets: £3/Under 18s free
Pre- show Discussion with Professor Willy Maley from Glasgow University, exploring historical portrayals of mental health in literature. This event is presented as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival which takes place from 1st - 19th October 2008.