Yaël Farber directs the Scottish play at the Almeida

James McArdle ans Saoirse Ronan (Photo: Sebastian Nevois)

THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH

by William Shakespeare

Directed by Yaël Farber

Friday 1 October – Saturday 20 November 2021

 

“Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires.”

A little later than nowin the ruins of a theatre, three witches make a prophecy.

A warrior and his wife enter the darkness. A war begins.

Yaël Farber directs James McArdle and Saoirse Ronan, in an elemental production about a world in transformation, the shadows in all of us, and one couple’s spine-chilling quest for power.  

Olivier Award-nominee James McArdle plays the title role of Macbeth. His highly acclaimed theatre roles include Louis in the National Theatre and Broadway production of Angels in America, Peter Gynt, Platonov and James I in The James Plays (National Theatre). His screen work includes HBO’s Mare of Easttown, Ammonite, Mary Queen of Scots and Man in an Orange Shirt

Four-time Academy Award-nominated Saoirse Ronan makes her UK stage debut as Lady Macbeth. She made her Broadway debut as Abigail Williams in The Crucible on Broadway in 2016 to glowing reviews and has been celebrated throughout her career for her performances in films including Atonement, Lady Bird, Brooklyn, and Little Women.

Yaël Farber is an internationally acclaimed director and playwright, whose recent work includes Hamlet (St Ann’s Warehouse, New York); Blood Wedding (Young Vic),Knives in Hens (Donmar Warehouse) and Les Blancs (National Theatre). 

Cast also includes: Michael Abubakar, Ross Anderson, Aoife Burke, Emun Elliott, Annie Firbank, William Gaunt, Akiya Henry, Maureen Hibbert, Reuben Joseph, Gareth Kennerley, Valerie Lilley, Adam McNamara and Richard Rankin.