Singapore Repertory Theatre to stage “grittier, dirtier” version of “Macbeth”
The Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT) will stage Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” in Fort Canning Park from April 28 as part of its Shakespeare in the Park initiative. But it won’t be a ‘play’ in the traditional sense – the SRT aims to immerse the audience in the action by weaving the outdoor environment into the production’s storyline for the very first time, instead of just keeping the action on stage.
“We are treating the play like a Hollywood thriller, fully embracing the opportunities [Fort Canning] Park offers … with sound, light, music and murder happening all around the audience,” said “Shakespeare in the Park – Macbeth” director Nikolai Foster in a press statement. Apart from the unique way it will be presented, the stage production also differs significantly from The Bard’s original work in terms of its storyline and characters.
“This ‘Macbeth’ is grittier, dirtier, and psychologically more complex because we are making bold and original choices with our interpretation of the characters, the story and the staging. “The Macbeth we are developing is a man-child-beast-warrior-tyrant in a version of the classic tragedy that is both a thriller and a cautionary tale that is relevant and of our times,” explained veteran actor Adrian Pang, who plays the titular character in the stage production.
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