- Designed and Directed by Brett Bailey
- Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
- Original version arranged by Peter Louis van Dijk and performed by Cape Town Opera
Brett Bailey’s politically incisive macbEth sets Shakespeare’s story and Verdi’s opera of ambition, treachery and witchcraft in Central Africa.
In this post-modern, post-colonial interpretation the opera has been re-orchestrated and trimmed down to a fast paced 90 minutes focussing on the rise and fall of the Macbeth couple, and incorporates classical and African instrumentation, African choral and opera singing, early recordings of the score, and video projection.
Within a milieu of Super Power dealings, occultist practices and glittering Chinese imports, an African General and his ambitious European wife murder their King and unleash atrocities on the crumbling African state they seize.
Making bold use of contemporary African design elements on a tiny stage reminiscent of an African animist shrine, and utilizing puppets and masks, the drama becomes a highly sculptural, visually stunning performance art piece.
Our new, smaller, uber-deconstructed version of macbEth is performed by a tight, stylized ensemble of 25 singer-musician-performers. For a treatment and some designs for this production, visit the ARTICLE link below.
THE PRODUCTION IS SCHEDULED FOR INTERNATIONAL TOURING FROM 2013 (VERDI'S BICENTENNIAL). PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PRESENTING THIS RIVETING, ICONOCLASTIC WORK.
Several incisive reviews, as well as an essay on Brett's macbEth by Ashraf Jamal can be found in the FULL PRESS REVIEWS link at the bottom of the page.
‘What a showcase of choral and solo talent! And thus what a pity if other national (and international) centres are not afforded the opportunity of experiencing this outstanding production. Never again can opera be referred to as a European phenomenon… see this production if it’s the only theatre outing you have this year. It’s an unforgettable musical and dramatic experience.’The Argus
‘This is not just another night at the opera, it's a séance - where high Western art meets a pan-African ethos, tongue firmly in post-colonial cheek.’THE STAR
‘... visually and musically breathtaking.’SUNDAY INDEPENDENT
‘The more philistine of our new elite have been heard to denounce the existence of "colonial culture" in our midst altogether. In Macbeth, Bailey shows us a middle way, where culture actually can be for everyone, after all.’MAIL AND GUARDIAN