Louisburg College announces its February production of Macbeth by the author known as William Shakespeare. Norris Theatre Director Wally Hurst will direct the production, which is sponsored by The Farrington Foundation. Macbeth will be presented February 15 through February 25, 2018.
Macbeth is a tale of ambition and a lust for power that manifests itself in murder and treason, with an unhealthy dose of the supernatural thrown in for extra creepiness. The play, originally set in ancient Scotland, has been re-imagined as a post-apocalyptic story set in Scotland County, USA sometime in a future. It is a world where the men have made a mess of things – and the women have taken over as rulers and overlords of the desolate, barren, and unforgiving landscape that is the new reality. It is a powerful and uncomfortable show, designed to make full use of Shakespeare’s glorious language and his thought-provoking drama and the ultimate tragedy of ambition. The cast includes Louisburg College students – including sophomore Molly Gettinger in the title role – Louisburg College faculty and alumni, and community members as well, including students from many local area schools.
A word of warning: this production of Macbeth contains staged depiction of graphic violence with numerous weapons, including guns, knives, swords and even baseball bats. It is not for the squeamish, and not recommended for children under the age of 12 years. The stage is quite often shrouded in theatrical water-based fog as well, and though the fog is approved by the American Equity Association as being harmless, those with chronic lung disorders and severe asthma are advised not to attend this production. Pyrotechnics are also used in the show. The show is approximately two hours in length with a 10 minute intermission.
Not frightened away yet? Good! Macbeth opens on Thursday evening, February 15 at 7:30 PM. Shows on the first weekend continue on Saturday, February 17 with an evening show at 7:30 PM.
The following week, the shows continue with evening performances on Wednesday and Thursday, February 21 and 22 at 7:30 PM each night. Two school day matinees on Thursday, February 22 are also being offered, beginning at 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM respectively. A special meal prepared by Chartwell’s in the Louisburg College Cafeteria is available after the first matinee and before the second show that day. Contact Alex Cheek at Chartwell’s 919-497-3315, or acheek@louisburg.edu for details.
The second set of weekend shows are scheduled for Saturday, February 24, with an evening show at 7:30 PM, and the final performance will be on Sunday afternoon, February 25, starting at 2:00 PM. Tickets for all afternoon and evening shows are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students and children. Tickets for the two special school day matinees on Thursday, February 22 are $5.00 per person, child or adult. A maximum of 130 seats is available for each show. Additional shows will be added if needed.
Call The Louisburg College Box Office at (919)-497-3300 for more information and reservations.
