The Royal Shakespeare Company is presenting a new version of the famous Scottish play this month - with fresh input from a most unlikely source...

Finding ways to keep Shakespeare relevant has always been a key objective for the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), albeit without dialling down or disrespecting the Bard’s work. And it’s not like it needs updating - many of the plays’ key themes are not only timeless, but so often have resonance in the present day.

The latest production of Macbeth recognises all of the above, but definitely pushes the envelope in terms of contemporary twists and original elements. Directed by RSC first-timer Wils Wilson, the play is set in a non-specific ‘near-future’ Scotland, performed by a dynamic all-Scottish cast - bar a significant (and renamed) Irish outsider - and even features a scene rewritten by comedian Stewart Lee (see below).
Wils says the bold choices are designed to keep the play relevant as well as make audiences think about their own choices in a modern society where the political and natural world are broken.

“The world of this production is an imagined near-future,” she says. “The climate is more extreme, there’s scarcity of resources, and war. It’s a play about choices - the choices the Macbeths make, the choices all the characters make - and it asks us to look at our own choices and where they might lead.”

One of the director’s own key choices was to cast Hamilton star Reuben Joseph in the lead role - the Scottish actor having garnered rave reviews for his performance as the titular character in the hugely popular musical.

“His rise has been pretty meteoric, and it feels completely right that Macbeth is what comes next for him,” says Wils. “He’s got it all - he’s a deep soul and also a quick wit, with that sense of play which all great actors have.”

Reuben himself admits that getting the role is something of a dream come true.

“I don’t think there’s a single Scottish actor who hasn’t dreamt of getting their hands on the part of Macbeth [but] I’ve decided I’m not going to pay attention to whatever prestige might come with the part or this play or doing it with the RSC. I’m following in the footsteps of some of my heroes - but as fun and exciting as it is to even pretend to put yourself in the same bracket as these people, it’s not so helpful when it comes to rehearsing and doing it!”

The success of Hamilton has undoubtedly given the 26-year-old the confidence to take on the role. And while the switch from a hip-hop musical to the language of Shakespeare might seem a big leap, there’s a natural synergy between the two shows, as well as a direct connection - in one song, Hamilton quotes and compares himself to Macbeth...

“I think what draws me to both these characters, if there’s a crossover or a Venn diagram, is that they’re both ambitious losers. There’s Hamilton, running his way to his own political undoing and literal death, and Macbeth, over-reaching in terms of what it means to be powerful. Macbeth thinks himself a good man and just needs to compromise his morals once to get what he wants - but of course violence begets violence, blood begets blood…”

The new RSC production also features Irish actress Valene Kane as Lady Macbeth, but renamed Gruach - partly to reflect her outsider status, but also to acknowledge that she is her own person with her own desires, according to Reuben.

“It’s all part of seeing us both as outsiders to this system of power, and this version of Scotland,” he explains. “Valene being Irish and me being a Scottish actor of colour feels right for these characters - there are qualities that we possess that we each see in the other.

“I’m fascinated by the question of how far can a person compromise their moral code before they compromise their soul. It’s a notion that resonates deeply with audiences, who, after 400 years, keep coming back to this story.”

Bringing the story up to date is an element that clearly excites the actor, although he admits setting it in a near future they’re calling ‘The Woeful Times’ has an uncomfortable resonance. 

“The more you pay attention to the economic and social standing of the world right now, both in our country and abroad, it’s easy to feel like we might actually be living in the woeful time right now.

“In the play there’s been a gradual descent into more violence and more social and economic inequality, and great disparity of climate conditions. It doesn’t feel like an event happened and all of a sudden we’re living in a post-apocalyptic world; it’s been a continual, gradual slide down into the abyss.”

To reinforce the message, Reuben says the bold staging will recreate harsh weather conditions on stage - though he’s staying tight-lipped about how that will manifest itself.

“We’ve got an incredible creative team, and what they’re putting together is a version of this play that you won’t have seen before. It’s not a frilly collars, uptight production; it’s gonna be physical, and you’ll feel like there are stakes to every moment as these characters approach the objective of their scenes and their goals.

“I can’t wait for you all to see the world [Wils] is creating for the show. It promises to be Scotland as Stratford-upon-Avon has never seen it before.”

by Steve Adams