Shakespeare's tale of murder, lust and power Macbeth is to get a modern makeover when Birmingham School of Acting presents a reworking of the tragedy that pays homage to some of Quentin Tarantino’s best films.
Macbeth—Kill Bill Shakespeare is “an irreverent and imaginative take” on the Scottish play. The production stays true to the original text although the style of Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill “will collide violently on stage with Shakespeare's verse, creating an exhilarating black comedy”.
Malachi Bogdanov who has adapted and directs said, “I’m delighted to be reviving Macbeth—Kill Bill Shakespeare at Birmingham School of Acting which provides a fitting location for the fusion of classical and popular culture.”
In 2003, Bogdanov wrote and directed Bill Shakespeare’s Italian Job. He has also reworked Homer’s Odyssey as From Ithica With Love.
Danièle Sanderson, deputy head at Birmingham School of Acting, said, “similar to audiences today, Elizabethan and Jacobean theatregoers were fascinated by violence and Shakespeare’s most violent plays were the most popular during his lifetime. By integrating Shakespeare’s tragedies through the lens of popular culture, our actors are hoping to sharpen our responses to these familiar works.”
Macbeth—Kill Bill Shakespeare will be performed in the Studio at the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham from Wednesday 24 until Saturday 27 February.