COMES TO LEEDS PLAYHOUSE

The dark, haunted world of Macbeth is starting to take shape at Leeds Playhouse as rehearsals get underway for Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy.

In Director Amy Leach’s and Designer Hayley Grindle’s vibrant, raw and visceral vision of Shakespeare’s thrilling tragedy, ambitious northern warrior Macbeth does whatever it takes to gain power and, ultimately, the throne.

 The cast – including Tachia Newall as Macbeth and Jessica Baglow as Lady Macbeth –

is a talented group of actors, each bringing different life experiences and perspectives to enrich the play.

“It makes for richer work, on and off stage,” said Amy Leach, Associate Director at Leeds Playhouse. “As a team that includes deaf and disabled actors, we’re especially enjoying working out how the characters in the world communicate with each other, which is leading to lots of exciting new discoveries about the play.

“I also love hearing Shakespeare when it’s spoken in regional accents and we have a brilliant variety – including lots of Northern ones – in this company. I find I understand Shakespeare’s language and connect so much more to the heart of his characters when the text connects with the landscape that’s present in regional accents. I also think it’s important that the many young people who will come and see this production hear and see themselves represented in the world of the play, to understand that Shakespeare is for them.”

The whole production will be creatively accessible to blind and visually impaired audiences, with audio description built into the play as a creative layer for every performance rather than something that is only heard through headphones for one or two performances.

Macbeth is at Leeds Playhouse from 26 February – 19 March. To book Box Office 0113 213 7700 or visit leedsplayhouse.org.uk