Reuben Joseph and Valene Kane will make their Royal Shakespeare Company debuts playing Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Wils Wilson’s production of Shakespeare’s tragedy.
Joseph is currently playing the title role of Alexander Hamilton in the West End production of Lin Manuel-Miranda’s Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre.
He said, “I don't think there's a single Scottish actor who hasn't dreamt of getting their hands on the part of Macbeth. For it to be my RSC debut—following in the footsteps of some of my acting heroes—‘stands not within the prospect of belief’.
“Playing Alexander Hamilton has me well versed in the disastrous consequences of ambition, not to mention Hamilton's own self-comparison to Macbeth in the show. They share a driving force though one of them has far bloodier methods.
“I'm fascinated by the question of 'how far can a person compromise their moral code before they compromise their soul?' It's a notion that resonates deeply with audiences who after 400 years keep coming back to this story. That same pull draws me to the character, humbled at the prospect but excited for the challenge.”
Kane said, “Lady Macbeth has become a synonym of the word evil and yet she’s a role so many women resonate with. It’s certainly a role that’s always captivated me: at once fearless, determined, powerful and vulnerable.
“I’m fascinated by the interplay of the feminine and masculine, both within her and within the play. The complexities of relationship dynamics and the investigation of a woman’s power in her marriage and in society are so fertile here. Lady Macbeth is a gift and a privilege for any actor to dive into and it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that I’m ecstatic to be making my RSC debut in this role.
“As the only Irish actress within an otherwise all-Scottish company, I’m looking forward to exploring in rehearsals the added dynamic to the Macbeths’ relationship—the idea of Lady Macbeth as an outsider.”
Wilson, associate director of the Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, is also making her RSC debut. She commented, “once I met Reuben and Valene it was impossible to imagine anyone else as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
“Reuben is an incredibly exciting Scottish actor. His rise has been pretty meteoric and it feels completely right that Macbeth is what comes next for him. He’s got it all—he’s a deep soul and also a quick wit with that sense of play which all great actors have.
“Valene shines in everything she does on stage or screen. She explores a role fearlessly and she’s a towering intelligence and passion. She blew me away at audition and I’m so excited to be in a rehearsal room with her.
“The world of this production is an imagined near-future—the climate is more extreme, there’s scarcity of resources and war. It’s a play about choices, the choices the Macbeths make, the choices all the characters make, and it asks us to look at our own choices and where they might lead.”
Further casting is to be announced. Macbeth will be designed by Georgia McGuinness with lighting by Kai Fischer, music by Alasdair Macrae and sound by Claire Windsor. Movement and choreography are by Julia Cheng, fights are by Kaitlin Howard and casting is by Simone Pereira Hind CDG and Anna Dawson.
Macbeth will run in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford from Saturday 19 August until Saturday 14 October. Press night will be on Wednesday 30 August.