UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 19 SEPTEMBER 2016
Shakespeare’s blood-soaked Macbeth is to be given a Tarantino twist during a special performance at Selfridges Birmingham next month.
Talented students from Birmingham School of Acting will be performing ‘Macbeth - Kill Bill Shakespeare’ - a modern rework of the Bard’s classic tale of lust and power - as part of Selfridges ‘Live + Loud celebrates Shakespeare ReFASHIONed’ festivities.
Combining Macbeth’s murder, madness and magic with Tarantino’s gangsters, gunmen and gore, ‘Macbeth - Kill Bill Shakespeare’ will stay true to Shakespeare’s original text, incorporating the Academy Award-winning director’s style to create a truly exhilarating black comedy.
Taking place in the unusual setting of Moor Street Car Park, which will be transformed into a contemporary Shakespearean stage, viewers will be transported into Macbeth’s violent world of destruction and paranoid fantasies, set to a backdrop of drug dealers, deadly assassins and a highly-charged, modern soundtrack.
Students and producers behind the production recently launched a crowdfunding campaign to turn the performance into a full-length film, which has already received financial backing from revered actor Sir Ian McKellen.
The performance is one of many events taking place as part of Selfridges ‘Live + Loud celebrates Shakespeare ReFASHIONed’ festival. Marking four hundred years since the death of Shakespeare, the iconic Birmingham store is playing homage to the world famous writer through a series of ground-breaking live performances, fashion collaborations, culinary experiences and more.
Sam Watts, general manager at Selfridges, said: “Despite being written over four hundred years ago, the fact that Macbeth’s story of betrayal, romance and greed is just as relevant to audiences today as it was in the 1600s, is a testament to the quality of Shakespeare’s writing, which is why we’re celebrating him this month.
Adapted and directed by acclaimed theatre director Malachi Bogdanov, ‘Macbeth - Kill Bill’ was originally performed in February 2016 at The Crescent Theatre, selling out and receiving exceptional praise. The cast will be made up of students from Birmingham School of Acting, which is part of Birmingham City University and one of only a few accredited drama schools in the country.
There will other Shakespeare-inspired performances by the Hip Hop Shakespeare Company, mac Birmingham, Birmingham Royal Ballet and The Old Rep, with further interactive activities for shoppers within the store. These include the chance to see some of the most interesting artifacts held within Birmingham’s library and museums, and a series of special workshops by Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
The programme of events run from Tuesday 27th September until Sunday 2nd October.
‘Macbeth - Kill Bill’ takes place on Saturday 1st October at 7pm. Tickets cost £5 and are available online at www.selfridges.com.