Photo: Emily cooper / Dancer: Desirée bortolussi as lady macbeth

Macbeth

Alysa Pires’ wildly successful theatrical ballet, Macbeth, explores the dark side of human nature. The timeless themes of ambition, power, and corruption that characterize William Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy infuse this high-stakes piece with drama and suspense. An original score of toil and trouble by Canadian composer Adam Sakiyama and stunning visuals by Okanagan artist Jane Everett set the scene for an exploration of psychological decay.

World Premiere: Ballet Kelowna, Kelowna, BC, 2022
The commissioning of Macbeth was made possible through the generosity of Leadership Giving Donors Dr. Adrian Bak and Patricia Ainslie.

Credits:

Choreography: Alysa Pires
Composer: Adam Sakiyama
Visual design: Jane Everett
Costume & set concept: Alysa Pires
Costume renderings: Nicole Bach-Labrecque
Costume builders: Joy Green, Lori Lawler, Hazel Rodgers
Lighting design: Rylee Block
Projection design: Aaron Quibell
Set builders: Dave Brotsky, Bill Haidei
Rehearsal director: Joanna Lige  

Cast:

Macbeth: Donaldo Nava
Lady Macbeth: Desirée Bortolussi
Banquo: Riku Hirakoba
King Duncan: Kurt Werner
Mal: Shae Jones
Fleance: Avery Grierson
Cawdor: MacKye White
The Three Witches: McKeely Borger, Naomi Kawamura, Lacey Park
Ensemble: McKeely Borger, Avery Grierson, Riku Hirakoba, Shae Jones, Naomi Kawamura, Lacey Park, Samuel Ramos, Emily Webb, Kurt Werner, MacKye White


Synopsis

PROLOGUE

Three Witches haunt a forest scene. They stir their cauldrons and summon images of a fierce warrior (Macbeth) and his ambitious wife (Lady Macbeth), a loyal friend (Banquo) and his young daughter (Fleance), a beloved King (King Duncan) and his heir (Mal), and lastly, a traitor (Cawdor).

Fair is foul, and foul is fair.

ACT 1

King Duncan is joined by his most trusted advisors, Cawdor, Macbeth, and Banquo, in devising their military strategy against invading armies. Though the group is initially unable to find a solution, they ultimately prevail with a winning idea from an unlikely source – Lady Macbeth. A traitorous Cawdor escorts King Duncan to the site of a would-be ambush only to find the tables have been turned on him. Cawdor’s treason has been revealed and King Duncan condemns him to death.

Enroute to join their forces, Macbeth and Banquo encounter the Three Witches. They predict Macbeth’s ascension to the role of Cawdor and ultimately of King.

All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!

When the Witches are immediately proven right, Lady Macbeth’s ambition bubbles over and she convinces her husband to take matters into their own hands by killing King Duncan in order to overtake the throne.

Look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under’t.

King Duncan and his daughter, Mal, are honoured guests at Macbeth’s castle as they celebrate Macbeth’s promotion. Lady Macbeth must convince Macbeth to follow through with their plan.

Screw your courage to the sticking place,
and we’ll not fail.

The next day, Mal is reeling from the horrifying discovery of her father’s murder. Convinced by Lady Macbeth that her safety is at risk, Mal flees. Banquo begins to question his friend, as once again the Witches’ predictions come true.

ACT 2

Bolstered by his newfound power, Macbeth commands an obedient army. He seeks to stamp out any dissension, even when it comes from his oldest friend, Banquo. Banquo attempts to leave with his daughter Fleance, but they are waylaid by Macbeth’s thugs. While Banquo is killed, Fleance escapes. With Macbeth’s nerves on edge, his party is crashed by an unwelcome visitor – Banquo’s ghost. Lady Macbeth attempts to calm her husband, but Macbeth’s paranoia becomes all-consuming.

Full of scorpions is my mind.

A grieving Mal is met by a kindred spirit, Fleance, who inspires her to return to claim what is hers – the throne. Macbeth seeks out the Witches to help ease his mind. Their new set of predictions convince Macbeth of his invincibility, but all is not as it seems.

By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.

Lady Macbeth feels the weight of their actions and is overcome with guilt. Mal and Fleance gather an army while Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both fall further into madness. Lady Macbeth succumbs to her guilt.

Out, damned spot; out, I say.

What once made Macbeth feel invincible now reveals his true vulnerability. Macbeth is defeated by Mal, who assumes the throne as Queen.