“Macbeth” Something Wicked This Way Comes
With six months of research and preparation along with a trip halfway around the world to the British Isles, Utah State Theatre is ready to present their rendition of “Macbeth.” A play originally written some 400 years ago has reached the university’s doors and it is shedding a new light on an old theme.
“It’ll be really unique,” said Kynsie Kiggins, a junior majoring in theater performance. “I like to think of [the play] as a cross between ‘The Matrix,’ ‘Gangs of New York’ and ‘Mad Max.'”
Kynsieplays in a trio of witches who foretell Macbeth’s bloody and dismal future.
The production follows Shakespeare’s original script, but under the guidance of director Lynda Linford, a few non-verbal scenes have been added to help progress the story line more clearly.
“This rendition of the play is set in a more modern aspect,” Linford said. “The set is designed to give the illustration of that chaos that seems to run between the dark ages and the enlightenment of the Renaissance. It’s that ordered madness that we were trying to get.”
Linford, who performed as Lady Macbeth when she attended USU, has been described by Kiggins as an “eccentric genius.”
The stage, dark and enclosed, suggests the green hills of Scotland and the rottenness of the current government, Linford said. The set is supposed to highlight the decay and evil inherent in the play.
Brandon Pearson, a junior majoring in film and theater, said he found new insight into the play while preparing for his role as Macbeth.
“Often we forget that Macbeth is a person who has feelings and experiences. To compare him to other Shakespearean characters, he has more action than a Hamlet and is much more thoughtful than an Othello,” he said.
Preparation for a production like “Macbeth” actually begins months before the actors touch a script. Students auditioned for parts at the beginning of the school year.
“The department heads actually figure out what production we’ll be doing based upon the needs of the students. If Set and Design students need to work on a certain type of backdrop, then the whole is pointed in that direction,” said Kiggins.
“We actually traveled to Scotland to get the feel of the setting,” Linford said. “Everyone has done a marvelous job at getting to know their character and feeling what they feel.”
Over the past couple of months, performers, designers and technicians, have logged hundreds of hours of practice and research to pin down every detail. The actors also put in dozens of hours outside of rehearsal time trying to get into the head of their characters. “I can’t play a part unless I feel it,” Pearson said. “Mothers give birth and actors give life. I do everything I can to understanding what a character is thinking. I start out each session as if I’m actually saying those lines and doing those actions for the first time.”
Pearson also expressed his excitement for others to come see the production.
“For those who want to experience a change in themselves by seeing other’s lives played out, they get that here. For those who just want to have a good time and see some great acting and some kickin’ battle scenes, they can get that too,” he said.
The production runs from Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 1 -3 and Wednesday-Saturday, Dec. 7 -10 in the Morgan Theatre located in the Chase Fine Arts Building. It runs from 7:30 – 930 p.m. Tickets cost $9 for adults, $6 for children and are free for USU students with ID. For questions or to get tickets in advance, call (435) 797-0305.
-nebutler@cc.usu.edu
(Callie Grover)