For many of us who are tainted by the English education system; hearing the name Shakespeare, (when not immediately followed by Baz Luhrmann), can make one a little fragile. But throw our beloved Saoirse Ronan in the mix, and instantly, you've caught our attention. It might seem like an odd pairing, but Ronan is about to make her Shakespearean debut; starring in the feminist retelling of Lady Macbeth.
The Oscar-nominated actress will take to the UK stage for the first time at London’s Almeida Theatre. The experience won't be entirely unfamiliar, however, with The Guardian reporting that her Mary Queen of Scots co-star James McArdle, will star alongside her as Macbeth.
The adaptation will see South African theatre director Yaël Farber at the helm; who has been described by Almeida's artistic director, Rupert Goold as an “earthy, political, blood-and-mud kind of director.” Which, in our books, seems like the perfect man to take on the task of reworking this classic tragedy. Goold also confirmed that Farber's interpretation will capitalise on the theatre's intimate space; which currently only allows for 100-250 indoor spectators.
Titled The Tragedy of Macbeth, the production has been in the works even prior to the pandemic; with Saoirse Ronan always billed to play Lady Macbeth. Although this may be her first theatre stunt in the UK, Ronan is no stranger to the stage. The 27-year-old actor previously starred in the Broadway version of Arthur Miller’s classic communist parable The Crucible in 2016. Of course, we've become very familiar with seeing the Irish-American actor on our screens; especially in the most recent years. From her unforgettable performance in the 2019 adaptation of Little Woman, to her upcoming and long-awaited appearance in Wes Anderson's film The French Dispatch.
If you feel as though Macbeth is the Shakespearean tale on everyone's lips; you wouldn't be wrong. Frances McDormand and Denzel Washington have also been confirmed to deliver their take on the story; with a recently announced Joel Cohen adaptation set to premiere on Apple TV+ later this year.
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