Macbeth Pr Final

Tuesday, 19 August 2008

For immediate release Photographer: Robert Day

MACBETH A co-production with Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company

By William Shakespeare Directed by Lucy Pitman-Wallace 12 September – 11 October 2008 “Foul whisperings are abroad, unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles.” Shakespeare’s dark and bloody tragedy, Macbeth, tells a tale of one man’s quest for the crown and whose actions create a disturbing and unsettling period of fear and tyranny in medieval Scotland. Upon his victorious return from battle, Macbeth is met by three witches who give him a tantalising prophecy for his future – he will acquire great power in his homeland, firstly as Thane of Cawdor and then as King of Scotland. Alongside his ambitious and scheming wife, their thirst for ultimate power begins to take control, setting the scene for a bloody royal coup. Driven by a fear of losing his new kingdom, Macbeth centres on the building tensions, paranoia and fear that lead to violence and murder. Award-winning Scottish actor Liam Brennan (The Winter’s Tale, The Merchant of Venice, Othello) takes the lead role as Macbeth in this thrillingly dark production which kick starts the Lyceum’s new season. Joining Liam on stage is Allison McKenzie (River City) as Lady Page 1 of 4 Press office: 30b Grindlay Street, Edinburgh EH3 9AX. Tel 0131 248 4822. Fax 0131 228 3955. Email [email protected].

Tuesday, 19 August 2008

Macbeth, Jimmy Chisholm (Trumpets & Raspberries, The Merchant of Venice) as King Duncan and Christopher Brand (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, London’s Palladium) as Macduff. Director Lucy Pitman-Wallace (RSC Sadler’s Wells, York Theatre Royal, Nottingham Playhouse) directs her first Lyceum production with a strong creative team including designer Lucy Osbourne, lighting designer Jenny Kagan and associate artist Philip Pinsky (Glass Menagerie, Living Quarters & The Winter’s Tale) as sound designer and composer. Macbeth is a co-production with Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company and will transfer to Nottingham Playhouse (22 October – 15 November) after its run at the Lyceum. www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk Cast: Macbeth Banquo/Seyton Macduff Malcolm Ross Lennox King Duncan Lady Macbeth Lady Macduff/ Witch 1 Witch 2/Cream Faced Loon Witch 3

Liam Brennan Martin Ledwith Christopher Brand Sam Heughan Donald Pirie Stuart Nicoll Jimmy Chisholm Allison McKenzie Claire Brown Joanne Cummins Pauline Lynch

Director Designer Lighting Designer Fight Director Movement Director Music

Lucy Pitman-Wallace Lucy Osbourne Jenny Kagan Terry King Sue Nash Philip Pinsky

-ENDS NOTES FOR EDITORS: Lucy Pitman-Wallace: Lucy trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and her UK premiere production of The Burial at Thebes (Nottingham Playhouse) 2005 earned her TMA Best Director nomination. Lucy has directed Endgame for the Liverpool Everyman starring Matthew Kelly and Matthew Rixon and she is currently reviving The Burial at Thebes for two festivals in the USA – Arts and Ideas in New Haven and the Spoleto Festival in Charleston. Lucy runs Three Legged Company and has directed twelve productions including Dossier: Ronald Akkerman (Gate), A Special Relationship (UK tour) and Eastward Ho! (part of RSC Swan Season – Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement 2003). Lucy’s future projects include Mary Stuart for the Malmo Theatre in Sweden. Page 2 of 4 Press office: 30b Grindlay Street, Edinburgh EH3 9AX. Tel 0131 248 4822. Fax 0131 228 3955. Email [email protected].

Tuesday, 19 August 2008

SPECIAL EVENT – AUTUMN 2008 Friday 3 October at 6pm Tickets: £3/Under 18s free Pre- show Discussion with Professor Willy Maley from Glasgow University, exploring historical portrayals of mental health in literature. This event is presented as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival. Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival 1-19 October 2008 Visit www.mhfestival.com for more information on this major cultural event taking place across Scotland.

Press night: Saturday 13 September at 7.45pm TICKETS & PERFORMANCES: Performances: 12 September – 11 October Evenings: Tuesday – Saturday at 7.45pm Matinees: 17, 20, 24, 27 September and 1, 4 October at 2.30pm First Look Friday (preview performance) sponsored by The List: Friday 12 September at 7.45pm – all tickets £5 – on sale now! Pre-show talk with Owen Dudley Edwards: Tuesday 16 September at 6pm – tickets £3 / under 18s free Post-show discussion with members of the cast: Tuesday 23 October (FREE) Audio described performances: Thursday 25 September at 7.45pm & Saturday 27 September at 2.30pm Touch Tour for the visually impaired: Saturday 27 September at 12.30pm BSL signed performance: Wednesday 1 October at 7.45pm PRICES Evening performances (full price): £12 - £26 Matinee Performances: Wednesday and Saturday Matinees £15 Concessions: £2 off full price for all Tuesday – Thursday shows Page 3 of 4 Press office: 30b Grindlay Street, Edinburgh EH3 9AX. Tel 0131 248 4822. Fax 0131 228 3955. Email [email protected].

Tuesday, 19 August 2008

Under 18s: Half Price any performance School Groups: £7.50 (stalls & grand circle). £6.50 (upper circle). Matinees – all seats £6.50. One teacher free with every ten pupils. Registered unemployed: (Tues – Thurs) half price in advance, £1 tickets available on the day (max 20, stalls only). ID required. Students/ people with disabilities: Half price (excludes First Look Fridays), £5 for Wed matinees. Wheelchair spaces are available in the stalls boxes. Students – full time only – ID required. Groups: 8+ £3 off each ticket (matinees £2 off); 20+ £4 off each ticket (matinees £3 off) plus one free ticket.

To book tickets please call our box office on 0131 248 4848. For group bookings of 8+ please call 0131 248 4849. For press enquiries and to arrange press tickets please contact Melissa Clarke, Press Officer on 0131 248 4822 or email: [email protected]

Page 4 of 4 Press office: 30b Grindlay Street, Edinburgh EH3 9AX. Tel 0131 248 4822. Fax 0131 228 3955. Email [email protected].