M A C B E T H
Written by William Shakespeare
Adapted & Directed by Carly D. Weckstein
The Illyrian Players present a bloody exploration of obsession, violence and gender-roles in William Shakespeare's Macbeth, as you've never seen it before.
GIRLS WILL BE BOYS
BOYS WILL BE GIRLS
BLOOD WILL HAVE BLOOD
"If the measure of a Macbeth may be found in its witches, then director Carly D. Weckstein's tantalizing, satanic-scented take on the Bard's blood-soaked tale of vaulting ambition is nothing less than inspired. Among the many brilliant conceits packed into her richly atmospheric and reverse-gender-cast staging, Weckstein weaves her trio of writhing and toothless apparition..." - Bill Raden, LA Weekly
S t a g e M a n a g e d b y : J a y m i e B e l l o u s
S T A R R I N G :
M a c b e t h - L i n d s a y L a V a n c h y
L a d y M a c b e t h - Z a c k H a m r a
B a n q u o - M i c h e l l e S t a n n
M a c d u f f - R e b e c c a K a y
M a l c o l m - C o u r t n e y D i e t l e r
P o r t e r / H e c a t e / S e y t o n - C a i t l i n B o w e r
W i t c h e s : T h e W e i r d S i s t e r s -
K e l s e y R i t t e r , E l i t i a D a n i e l s , K a t e l y n M y e r
l a d y m a c d u f f / g e n t l e w o m a n - j o e d e s o t o
K i n g D u n c a n / L o r d / D o c t o r - E v a B l u m e
L e n n o x - E m m a H a w l e y
R o s s - L y n d s i L a R o s e
A n g u s - K a i t l i n H u w e
1 s t M u r d e r e r / M e n t i e t h - J e s s i c a R o s e F e l i x
D o n a l b a i n / 2 n d M u r d e r e r / C a i t h n e s s - V a n e s s a V i v i a n e L e d e s m a
B l o o d y S g t . / 3 r d M u r d e r e r / S i w a r d - S a m a n t h a K e l l i e
F l e a n c e / B o y M a c d u f f / Y o u n g S i w a r d - H i l a r y S c h w a r t z
PRODUCTION STILLS BY RAYMOND LIU
L.A. Weekly Review:
"If the measure of a Macbeth may be found in its witches, then director Carly D. Weckstein's tantalizing, satanic-scented take on the Bard's blood-soaked tale of vaulting ambition is nothing less than inspired. Among the many brilliant conceits packed into her richly atmospheric and reverse-gender-cast staging, Weckstein weaves her trio of writhing and toothless apparitions (Kelsey Ritter, Elitia Daniels, Katelyn Myer) throughout the action to vividly underscore the diabolical corruption that has turned brave Macbeth (Lindsay LaVanchy) against nature itself. Weckstein's stylish, leather-and-trench-coat costumes and a driving Gothic-metal rock score lend the mise-en-scène the dark, seductive camp of a black mass as performed in a mid-'90s Goth club." He also makes note of a "show-stopping Porter (Caitlin Bower)".
-Bill Raden, L.A. Weekly
"The Illyrian Players' version of Macbeth steers clear of safe choices. This version, set in a post apocalyptic leather lover’s paradise and steeped in punk music, is perhaps most notable in their choice to play with the idea of gender. In this production, all the male characters are played by women and vice versa... They go to extreme pains to ensure that these female actors — who are probably all beautiful women– have no femininity. Artificial facial hair, thickened eyebrows, baggy pants make it easy to forget that the actors are female. On the other hand, the male actors wear lavish jewelry and pounds of makeup to emphasize their femininity. In this way, masculinity means a subtle and realistic appearance whereas femininity is overstated and gawdy? What is that saying about gender and how it’s treated today? ...Zack Hamra’s portrayal of Lady Macbeth is both poignant and subtle, once again begging a debate over gender roles. Especially when Hamra’s subtlety is placed next to the dramatic, braggadocio-esq acting style of Macbeth, played by Lindsay LaVanchy. Now what is THAT saying about gender performance? In any case, The Illyrian Players’ dedication to pushing the audience to ask questions pays off as I left the theatre having a lively discussion with my friends who I came with.
And after all, isn’t that what the theatre is all about?"
-Kathy S. Yamamoto, LA Theatre Blogger
