The Shakespeare at Winedale Spring Class perform one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, MACBETH, at the Winedale Theatre Barn on April 25^th and 26^th at 7:00pm. These performances are the culmination of a semester of coursework focusing on ‘Shakespeare’s Verse.’ Tickets are $10; $5 for UT ID-holders and students. Tickets are available at www.shakespeare-winedale.org or by calling (512) 471-4726.

It will have blood; they say, blood will have blood. - III.iv

Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy leads audiences at breakneck pace through Macbeth’s bloody battle to win the throne of Scotland. The ultimate power couple, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth struggle with the consequences of their violent ways. Filled with supernatural forces and brutal events, this play examines the darkest side of humanity.

“MACBETH is one of Shakespeare's most riveting plays, a relentless rush of witchcraft, murder, guilt and madness,” said James Loehlin, Shakespeare at Winedale Director and Regents Professor of English. “It is also one of his highest poetic achievements, and so it makes a perfect capstone for our course on the evolution of Shakespeare's dramatic verse.  We are extremely excited to be presenting this play as a part of the coursework of E321P, Shakespeare Through Performance.”

This production of MACBETH will also feature an interesting twist: the roles of Macbeth and the Lady will be triple cast. Loehlin says, “I distributed the roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth among three students apiece in part for practical and educational reasons--to share the line burden more equitably, and to give more students an opportunity to explore those roles.  But I think it also will allow us to look in a different way at the particular journeys of each of those characters, and the stages they go through in their ambitious rise to power, their savage struggle to retain it, and their final, anguished descent.”

Shakespeare at Winedale is a program within the University of Texas English Department that invites students from all disciplines to learn about Shakespeare through the experience of performing his works. Since 1970, hundreds of students have performed Shakespeare’s immortal words in the Winedale Theatre Barn, using textual interpretation, creativity, and passion to bring the plays to life. The students of the Spring Class come together to explore several plays throughout the UT spring semester. The course includes three weekends at the Winedale Historical Center, where students immerse themselves in the study of Shakespeare surrounded by the beauty of the Texas countryside. Their coursework culminates in a final presentation of their studies: two performances in the Winedale Theatre Barn.

For more information, contact:

Liz Fisher, Program Coordinator

Shakespeare at Winedale

512.471.4726

lfisher@austin.utexas.edu