Theatergoers have a wonderful opportunity coming up April 28 when Shakespeare’s Macbeth opens at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. High school students and community members have been in rehearsal since mid-January for this huge undertaking. When choosing the annual school/ community play, Director Sue Hennessy puts the question to her seniors, many of whom she has directed since sixth grade. Macbeth was their choice. Director Hennessy said, “When a high schooler comes up and wants to do Shakespeare, you don’t say no!”
To prepare for this, Hennessy pulled in the services of Doug Scholz-Carlson, associate director of the Great River Shakespeare Festival in Winona, Minnesota. Some readers may remember the Minnesota Shakespeare Festival at Grand Marais from 2001 to 2004 when Scholz- Carlson was co-founder and co-artistic director with our Sue Hennessy and also directed Hamlet, Macbeth, and Pericles. More recently, Scholz-Carlson also provided preliminary fight training for Treasure Island and Hamlet.
Scholz-Carlson provided a community and actor workshop, discussing the history of Shakespeare and details within Macbeth that would have been evident to Shakespeare’s audiences — not so for audiences today. For example, Shakespeare’s use of the word “blow” actually refers to a reallife plot to overthrow the king. Shakespeare used Macbeth to portray the dishonesty and evil occurring in those times.
Another expert assisting with Macbeth is Annie Enneking who choreographed Treasure Island’s stage combat scene and returns to choreograph and teach broad swords and daggers.
I interviewed Sarah Warren to find out more about some of these underlying themes. Sarah was fascinated learning about the theme of sleep throughout the play. For example, when Macbeth murders the king, he “murders sleep” and Macbeth never sleeps again after the murder. His lack of sleep could explain his later insanity. And the big question—did the witches actually do as they said? Or was Macbeth just hallucinating due to his lack of sleep/insanity?
Maximizing student collaboration is fundamental to the GM Playhouse mission. When students were asked how they would like to present Macbeth, they suggested “steampunk.”
Steampunk? What on earth is that? (My reaction!)
Wikipedia’s definition is this: “Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Specifically, steampunk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them; in other words, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc.”
It was still difficult for me to envision in my mind, so with Sarah Warren’s assistance, I went to the Internet and she pointed out the various styles even within steampunk. Think the TV series and later the film, Wild Wild West! To put it more simply, it’s a Victorian look only with an industrialized theme. Gears, copper, tubes, wire and steam give an industrial feel and are used on scenery and costumes. For example, a character may have a metal plate with nuts and bolts on his shoulder. Sarah explained it further. “The more evil the character, the more industrialized or darker the character will appear.”
This was all a lot for me to digest! I’m going to have to read up on all of the above. Thank you Sarah Warren for your attempts to educate me!
In case theatergoers are worried about a 3-1/2 hour version of Macbeth, RELAX! This is a two-hour version adapted by Doug Scholz-Carlson.
Stay tuned for more developments with Macbeth – Victorian Steampunk style – coming April 28!
Playhouse Board Member Shelby Anderson provides this behind the scenes look at Grand Marais Playhouse activities.
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