Preview: Macbeth at Newcastle Theatre Royal

LOCAL ACTOR RETURNS TO THE NORTH EAST WITH NATIONAL THEATRE’S MACBETH

Macbeth

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 November 2018

North East favourite Deka Walmsley is set to make a return to the region in the National Theatre’s Macbeth playing at Newcastle Theatre Royal following a sold-out London run.

Best known to North East audiences for his roles in Lee Hall’s The Pitmen Papers – where he played George Brown on Broadway following a run at Live Theatre – and as the Dad in the West End smash-hit Billy Elliot, the Corbridge-born actor will play Porter in the epic and visually daring production of Shakespeare’s most intense tragedy.

He is to be joined by Scottish actor Michael Nardone (BBC One’s The Night Manager and Rellik, HBO’s Rome) who will play the title role with Kirsty Besterman (Genesis Inc. at Hampstead Theatre, They Drink It in The Congo at the Almeida Theatre, and BBC One’s Father Brown) as Lady Macbeth and Patrick Robinson – best known for his long-running role as Ash in BBC One’s Casualty and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant - joining the cast as Banquo.

The touring ensemble also includes Joseph Brown (Malcolm), Elizabeth Chan (Witch), Nisa Cole (Fleance), Reuben Johnson  (Doctor), Helen Katamba (Murderer), Tom Mannion (Duncan & Siward), Brad Morrison (Murderer), Hauk Pattison  (Murderer), Evelyn Roberts (Witch & Boy), James Robinson (Lennox), Duncan Ross (Ensemble), Rachel Sanders (Ross), Olivia Sweeney (Witch & Gentlewoman), Ross Waiton (Macduff), and Lisa Zahra (Lady Macduff).

Directed by NT Artistic Director Rufus Norris (Cabaret, London Road) and designed by Rae Smith (War Horse, This House) this new production propels Shakespeare’s classic title into a post-apocalyptic world of anarchy and uncertainty. Ruthlessly fighting to survive, the Macbeths are thrust towards the crown by forces of elemental darkness.

Macbeth sees the National Theatre make a triumphant return to Newcastle Theatre Royal following recent successful runs of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Jane Eyre and Hedda Gabler.

Set design by Rae Smith, associate set design by Aaron Marsden, costume design by Moritz Junge, tour lighting design by Paul Pyant, associate tour lighting design by Ed Locke, tour movement direction by Cydney Uffindell-Phillips, music by Orlando Gough and Marc Tritschler, sound design by Paul Arditti, associate sound design by Mike Winship, and fight direction by Kev McCurdy. The associate director is Liz Stevenson.

Macbeth on tour in partnership with Lloyds Bank Private Banking. Supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England’s cross-border touring programme, The Thompson Family Charitable Trust and The Royal National Theatre Foundation.

Photos: Brinkhoff Mogenburg

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Tickets:

Macbeth plays evenings (7.30pm) and matinees Wed & Thu (2pm) and Sat (2.30pm) and tickets priced £14.50 can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).