Life of Guangzhou - Shakespeare's Tragedy "Macbeth" by TNT Theatre

Time: 8:00pm on 26th, 2:30pm and 8:00pm on 27th, March 2010
Venue: Chamber Hall, Xinghai Concert Hall
Tickets: ￥100, 180, 260
Tel.: 020-8735 3869, 3758 3771(For English)

English dialogue with Chinese subtitle

The set by noted designers Kurn and Gross is an extraordinary luminous series of walls that become trees.The production is also music theatre includes an atmospheric and dense musical score from composer Paul Flush, powerful choreography from Eric Tessier and striking visual imagery. The production is directed by Paul Stebbings, founder of TNT theatre and multi-award winner.

Synopsis

Macbeth and Banquo are two leading nobles and also the generals of the aged King of Scotland, Duncan. One day Macbeth meets three witches who predict that he will become King and Banquo will found a dynasty of Kings. Macbeth believes them. With the help of his wife he kills the King.

Then he became King. He is worried about the prediction and arranges the murder of Banquo and Banquo's son (Fleance)

On the banquet to celebrate his coronation, Banquo's ghost which can only seen by Macbeth appears, he is scared and later returns to the witches for advice, he receives three riddling predictions including the statement that "no man of woman born can ever harm him" and that "he will fall only when a forest marches on his castle," "If Macbeth presses them, the Banquo's descendants will rule Scotland for hundreds of years."

He is angered that Mac Duff (another noble) has gone to England to meet with Prince Malcolm and has his family murdered. Later, Malcolm leads an English army into Scotland with Mac Duff.

Back in Scotland, Lady Macbeth goes mad, and commits suicide. The English army arrive and camouflages itself with branches so the forest appears to march on Macbeth's castle. Finally, Mac Duff corners the tyrant King and reveals he was born by Caesarean operation and so not truly born from a woman's womb. Mac Duff kills Macbeth and Malcolm is restored as King of Scotland.

Tour History

28 countries and 236 cities on four continents since 2001
probably the most widely toured production of Shakespeare in the world in the past ten years - almost 1000 performances given.

Comments

The imagery is as striking as the raw power of theatre. - The OBSERVER (Britain)

With its strong visual and aural images, this "Macbeth" is a haunting reminder of how accessible Shakespeare can still be to modern audiences anywhere. - SUDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG (Germany)

The first class interpretation managed to transport the audience to medieval Scotland. - TIMES (Japan)

From Oxford to Oslo TNT's vibrant and dynamic approach to Shakespeare has generated enthusiasm from audiences and critics alike. - FRANKFURTER RUNDSCHAU (Germany)