A director on the cast, an Arabic Macbeth, guest appearances by Voldemort and Darth Vader, and a whole lot of chaos makes up this comedy called Enter Macbeth. Take two of Shakespeare’s best plays, put them into a blender, mix them with Hummus and Salsa, dash a bit of pollen-juice, and viola – you have Enter Macbeth! With witches, gargoyles, and a whole lot of pumpkins, this is one Halloween show you do not want to miss at any cost!
Tall Tales Productions is proud to bring to you a comedy “Enter Macbeth” which is a farce based on two of the most popular of the Bard’s plays – Hamlet and Macbeth. This is following a string of sell out and successful performances in the UAE including Howzat, Sherlock Holmes, and Just Like That (JLT). Contributing to the #yearofgiving part of the proceeds will be donated to two well established charity organizations in UAE. There will be four shows playing from the 1st to 3rd of Nov 2018 at The Junction in Al-Serkal Avenue.
For hundreds of years, the cast members of Shakespeare’s Hamlet have toiled through each nightly performance – delivering their lines, sneaking about behind tapestries, clutching at skulls, betraying one another, falling in love, losing their minds, drowning, stabbing, being stabbed, and dying – over, and over, and over again. Night after night, the cycle has never changed. Until now. With a principal character missing and half the cast on the verge of revolt, they must take drastic measures to keep the script from being shelved and the set from going dark. With the cast grasping at straws to keep their numbers even, they soon resort to recruiting from other scripts in Shakespeare’s First Folio, hoping that doing so will bring an end to all their problems. Little do they suspect what further doom awaits.
Meghana Mundkur the director says, “I remember going through so many scripts that after a point one story merged into another. Then I read the preview of ‘Enter Macbeth’ and I couldn’t put to down! I admit it’s not a ‘popular’ play at all. It’s been written by Ruth Buchanan, again a writer not very many people have heard of. None of that matters though when you see how brilliantly she’s brought two of Shakespeare’s greatest plays together – Hamlet and Macbeth. For me the most exciting part is that Macbeth and Hamlet are tragedies but ‘Enter Macbeth’ turns them into a hilarious comedy! The format we’re working with is sort of an Inception of plays, a play within a play! It is such an honor to be working with cast I have, each one makes sure that despite all that’s happening in their lives, they bring 150% of their energy and commitment! This play is going to be quite a ride. Enter Macbeth gives you that perfect relief from all the worry we carry around with us.”
“We are attempting to bring the Bard closer to people” says Asad Raza Khan, who is the producer and creative consultant to the play. “These days’ people want to be entertained and that is what we are giving to them! We want to make the bard presentable, accessible, and interesting for all ages including kids. We aim to perhaps create some sort of interest in his works, via what we are doing here. In any case, you can expect a crazy fun night at the theater! Let us entertain you!”
Emily Nivea, who plays the every so naughty Bernardo (doubling up as Guildenstern or Rosencrantz) says “It’s always fun to dive into a comedy (I find it provides an amazing challenge as an actor), and “Enter Macbeth” is a truly madcap adventure! I look forward to the performances, exploring what it means to be a truly incompetent guard, and bringing laughter to the many who will come catch us on stage.
Sid Shivprakash recalls, “When the director, called and asked if I’d like to be a part the cast of ‘Enter Macbeth’, I was both flattered and excited. But once she sent through the script, unlike poor Hamlet’s conundrum, there was no question about it. It was ’To be!’ A farce for all ages, Ruth Buchanan, the playwright, deftly breaks down some of the greatest Shakespearean heroes in a rib-tickling mockery, where two theatre troupes use all their mite to keep their shows afloat. I play the role of Marcellus, but unlike how the ‘Bard’ had written him, in ‘Enter Macbeth’ Marcellus finds himself smack in the middle of all the drama.”
Satyen Chadiramani who portrays Claudius says he was excited at the prospect of doing a farce on Shakespeare in modern English and setting! “Playing Claudius, an edgy yet sincere and kind of unofficial director of hamlet allows me to experiment with a new range of theatrics and I hope it will make people laugh! The ensemble ensures that the energy level never drops and the audience will be laughing out loud during the show!”
Hananah Zaheer, a talented improvisation actress and writer, who is playing the part of Lady Macbeth, says “Who doesn’t want to be an evil mastermind from time to time? Specially with a clear visioned-director and producer at the helm and a lovely, friendly cast. If you have ever read Shakespeare and wondered “why,” you should come watch this.
Dahlia Ali who plays the loveable Ophelia is the newbie on the cast who cannot stop appreciating all the positive vibes she is getting from the cast. Also, she is very excited to take part in this very ‘unique’ production. “When I told my friends that I am going to play “Ophelia” they were like “Oh! drama and tragedy, That is your perfect kind of character” and when I said that it is a comedy, they started laughing before they even hear anything about it.”
The shows in Dubai will be performed from the 1st to 3rd of November 2018 at The Junction Theatre in Al-Serkal Avenue. There will be an evening shows at 7 30 pm each day with a special matinee show on Saturday 3rd of November at 2 30 pm as well. Tickets are available online at www.Platinumlist.net and are priced at 100 AED.
