Macbeth & Kublai KhanOur ensemble has worked on a Macbeth set in 13th Century China - a little distant from the Scottish highlands of the original location. The production will be set in the round, providing an opportunity for the audience to take a closer look into the characters' worlds. In particular Macbeth's character who is not too dissimilar to the grandson of Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan, the warrior who supposedly killed his brother to take the throne as the mighty emperor of the Yuan dynasty in the Mongolian Empire. The witches are based on the Mongolian Shamans who having been raised from the dead in battle haunt Macbeth till the bitter end.
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Note from the Director
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Instead of keeping the play in Scotland, we thought it would interesting to find a setting closer to home, that had similar feudal systems. Once we looked into China and Mongolia, we realised that Kublai Khan had strong links to Macbeth. To assist the actors with our interpretation and inspiration we used two major sources, Marco Polo (Netflix show) and Beyond Time (a Taiwanese dance, music collaboration). Our rehearsal process relied heavily on workshops creating imagery, voice work, performance skills sessions and physical focus. The cast have brought so much of themselves to the project and worked tirelessly on producing fresh action out of the script.
This year, we have had exciting opportunities to work with new people on this project. Firstly for IB Music students to compose and operate their own original music. We had a new set designer and constructor in and out of Batam! The work placement students Claudia and Sheila from Tertiary institutions have been outstanding. Manuel and Kazly have been incredible this year pushing out the boundaries more than ever. Viki has been delving into creepy second hand shops sourcing props for 13th Century China. Equally, Theresa and her team have produced stunning authentic costumes from the era and location. Nadiah has kept us on a tight ship and the Drama Department has been a constant source of patience. Communications worked on what was a beautiful design for our vision of the play and facilities and the shop are so supportive every year for which we are ever grateful. Liam, my Assistant Director, has been the most insightful, diligent, and inspiring person to work with on this project. I will never let him leave. To all those students who are also selfishly trying to graduate- Thank you. Thank you for the special moments you have given us and our community in this crazy thing we call theatre. Long may it haunt you in your lives ahead... |
Macbeth Synopsis
The play follows the events of a brave general in the army, Macbeth, who receives a prophecy from mystic witches that soon he will become the King of Scotland. Consumed by his desires, ambitions, and confidence and enticed by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan to take the Scottish throne for himself. However, while the Macbeths are then wrought with guilt and paranoia, Macduff begins to suspect Macbeth of the heinous crime.
Act Summary
Act 1
The play opens with Duncan, the King of Scotland, learning of Macbeth's bravery in a victorious battle against the King of Norway, Duncan decides to give the title of Thane of Cawdor to Macbeth.
While returning from battle both Macbeth and Banquo meet witches, who predict Macbeth to become King of Scotland and Banquo to be the father of Kings.
Macbeth and Banquo then meet with King Duncan, who announces he shall be visiting Macbeth's castle, Lady Macbeth receives news of the witches' prophesy and of Duncan's arrival and prepares herself for the murder of Duncan. When Macbeth arrives, Lady Macbeth tells him that she will plot Duncan's murder.
Act 2
Macbeth becomes haunted with the vision of a bloodied dagger that floats before him, which leads him to Duncan's room whereupon he commits the act. However after the he finishes the act of regicide, Macbeth approaches Lady Macbeth with the daggers still in hand, forcing her to plant the daggers on the bodyguards herself.
The many thanes arrive at the castle and are discover the King has been killed, raising the alarms of the house. Macbeth kills the two bodyguards claiming he was overcome with a fit of grief and rage when he saw them with the bloody dangers, unbelieving of this Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, believe their lives are in danger and flee.
Act 3
Overcome with the prophesy that Banquo will be father to Kings, Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. However the murderers are only able to kill Banquo and Fleance escapes.
As Macbeth gathers all his thanes and nobles for a celebratory banquet his is sent into a frenzy of terror at the haunting sight of Banquo's ghost. Lady Macbeth attempts to cover for his odd behaviour however, the banquet comes to a premature end and the thanes begin to question Macbeth's sanity.
Meanwhile, Macbeth's thanes begin to turn against him. Macduff meets Malcolm in England to prepare an army to march on Scotland.
Intermission
Act 4
Macbeth approaches the witches once more to see into the future, whereupon he is shown three apparitions. The first warns him against Macduff, the second tells him to fear no man born of woman, and the third prophesies that he will only fall when Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane castle. Macbeth believes this prophecy predicts that he is infallible, and with a newfound confidence he asks once again about the prophet of Banquo's sons, whereupon he is shown a procession of eight kings, all of whom look like Banquo.
Meanwhile in England, Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty before finally strategising their offensive against Macbeth. While in Scotland Macbeth has Macduff's wife and children murdered.
Act 5
Lady Macbeth begins overwrought with her guilt and while sleepwalking unwittingly reveals her deeds to a doctor. Macbeth, meanwhile, is preoccupied with battle preparations as an English army, led by Malcolm, Macduff, and Siward approaches. Lady Macbeth, overcome with her guilt, commits suicide, Macbeth overhearing her cry comments that she should have died at a future date and muses on the meaninglessness of life.
While the English army approaches, Malcolm instructs each member to cut a tree branch from Birnam Wood and hold it as disguise. A servant reports to Macbeth that Birnam Wood seems to be moving towards the castle. Macbeth is shaken by the fact that the second prophecy has come true however he still engages the oncoming army with confidence in the absurdity of the third prophecy.
In battle, Macduff reveals that he was not born "of woman" but rather "untimely ripped" from his mother's womb, in a moment of stun Macduff kills Macbeth. To end, Malcolm is proclaimed the new King of Scotland.
The play opens with Duncan, the King of Scotland, learning of Macbeth's bravery in a victorious battle against the King of Norway, Duncan decides to give the title of Thane of Cawdor to Macbeth.
While returning from battle both Macbeth and Banquo meet witches, who predict Macbeth to become King of Scotland and Banquo to be the father of Kings.
Macbeth and Banquo then meet with King Duncan, who announces he shall be visiting Macbeth's castle, Lady Macbeth receives news of the witches' prophesy and of Duncan's arrival and prepares herself for the murder of Duncan. When Macbeth arrives, Lady Macbeth tells him that she will plot Duncan's murder.
Act 2
Macbeth becomes haunted with the vision of a bloodied dagger that floats before him, which leads him to Duncan's room whereupon he commits the act. However after the he finishes the act of regicide, Macbeth approaches Lady Macbeth with the daggers still in hand, forcing her to plant the daggers on the bodyguards herself.
The many thanes arrive at the castle and are discover the King has been killed, raising the alarms of the house. Macbeth kills the two bodyguards claiming he was overcome with a fit of grief and rage when he saw them with the bloody dangers, unbelieving of this Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, believe their lives are in danger and flee.
Act 3
Overcome with the prophesy that Banquo will be father to Kings, Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. However the murderers are only able to kill Banquo and Fleance escapes.
As Macbeth gathers all his thanes and nobles for a celebratory banquet his is sent into a frenzy of terror at the haunting sight of Banquo's ghost. Lady Macbeth attempts to cover for his odd behaviour however, the banquet comes to a premature end and the thanes begin to question Macbeth's sanity.
Meanwhile, Macbeth's thanes begin to turn against him. Macduff meets Malcolm in England to prepare an army to march on Scotland.
Intermission
Act 4
Macbeth approaches the witches once more to see into the future, whereupon he is shown three apparitions. The first warns him against Macduff, the second tells him to fear no man born of woman, and the third prophesies that he will only fall when Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane castle. Macbeth believes this prophecy predicts that he is infallible, and with a newfound confidence he asks once again about the prophet of Banquo's sons, whereupon he is shown a procession of eight kings, all of whom look like Banquo.
Meanwhile in England, Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty before finally strategising their offensive against Macbeth. While in Scotland Macbeth has Macduff's wife and children murdered.
Act 5
Lady Macbeth begins overwrought with her guilt and while sleepwalking unwittingly reveals her deeds to a doctor. Macbeth, meanwhile, is preoccupied with battle preparations as an English army, led by Malcolm, Macduff, and Siward approaches. Lady Macbeth, overcome with her guilt, commits suicide, Macbeth overhearing her cry comments that she should have died at a future date and muses on the meaninglessness of life.
While the English army approaches, Malcolm instructs each member to cut a tree branch from Birnam Wood and hold it as disguise. A servant reports to Macbeth that Birnam Wood seems to be moving towards the castle. Macbeth is shaken by the fact that the second prophecy has come true however he still engages the oncoming army with confidence in the absurdity of the third prophecy.
In battle, Macduff reveals that he was not born "of woman" but rather "untimely ripped" from his mother's womb, in a moment of stun Macduff kills Macbeth. To end, Malcolm is proclaimed the new King of Scotland.