Bard staging Macbeth in Creswick

A STRONG lineup of Shakespearean actors are making rehearsals for the Bard in Buninyong’s Macbeth a breeze, director Robert Kelty says.

The theatre group is preparing to present the famed play at the Creswick Courthouse Theatre this month, in a collaboration with Creswick Theatre Company, with opening night set for Friday 15 August.

Kelty said the upcoming production is set firmly in the play’s original era and distills “all the best bits” of the Shakespearean original, promising to transport its audience.

The cast began rehearsing in June and Kelty said his task as director is being made easy by the actors’ stage skill and experience.

The cast of 18 includes Matt Peavey as Macbeth, Clara Edmonds as Lady Macbeth, Shannon Nicholls as Macduff, Melissa Elizabeth as Lady Macduff, Liana Emmerson as First Witch, Hayley Beacham as Second Witch, and Zoe Lee James as Third Witch.

“We’ve got some real heavy hitters, and, yes, my witches are fabulous. They are very witchy,” Kelty said.

“It’s under 90 minutes. It’s all the best bits. We’ve got a large cast in a small theatre. So when there’s a battle you’re going to know its happening.”

The director said it’s the first time that The Bard in Buninyong has collaborated with Creswick Theatre Company in this manner, but it likely won’t be the last.

“I went to see their 12 Minute Play Festival there and the theatre was so fantastic and perfect,” he said.

“If you want to see a strong suspenseful action psycho-thriller in under 90 minutes you’ll be in heaven, (possibly) with a mulled wine.

“We have excellent soundscape and excellent lighting. We’ll just tell a story as humans have done for eons. We’re going to have a great time and the audience are going to have a great time.”

There will be evening and afternoon matinee options through to Sunday August 24 with more information and ticketing details through the Creswick Theatre Company website and The Bard in Buninyong on Facebook.