A Tale That Must Be Told: Macbeth (2018)

With the success of ‘Shakespeare Demystified: Macbeth’ that was targeted at secondary school and university students, KL Shakespeare Players is now bringing a family-friendly version of Macbeth to 7-12 year-olds.

Premiered in September 2017 at the Kuala Lumpur International Arts Festival 2017, the show has received very positive feedback from students, teachers and parents. Many commented on the fun and exciting way Shakespeare’s story was brought to life for young audience, without dumbing down.

A Tale that Must be Told: Macbeth is delivered in contemporary English and with some key phrases found in the Shakespeare play. This approach allows the young audience not only to follow the the story’s main plot and themes but also to be familiar with famous utterances like, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair…” or “Double, double, toil and trouble…”

In fact, the three performers lead the young audience into these chants (including battle cries) and invite audience-participation in some key scenes, like the battle between the royal forces and the rebels, a banquet, the seduction of the witches and a dance.

It is definitely not a sit-down-and-quietly-watch kind of performance.