Ritual, rites and rhythms rooted in Sardinian culture lend primal, elemental energy to this all-male version of Shakespeare’s play – about a man whose efforts to be king make no sense.
Gibbering, spitting and spinning, the weird sisters emerge, whipping up a cloud of ash in their wake. Their appearance heralds more shadowy scenes speaking of dark ambition and disintegration including a banquet where grain is crumbled and scattered. Later the sight of men in local cork masks moving to the sound of ringing cowbells foretells of defeat in a symbolic enactment of Birnam Wood arriving in Dunsinane.
Director Alessandro Serra draws on the guttural tone of the Sardinian language, props sourced from rural markets and family totems to transpose Macbeth to Barbagia, a pastoral region from where his grandparents hail. Radiating with stylised movement and powerful voices, his production feeds the supernatural elements of the original, layering them with materials, sounds and gestures to flawlessly transform a Shakespearean classic.
1 hour 30 mins, no interval
Age guidance 12+ (contains nudity. More Information)
Performed in Sardinian with English surtitles
Presented by the Barbican. Produced by Sardegna Teatro and Compagnia Teatropersona with Fondazione Pinuccio Sciola and Cedac Circuito Regionale Sardegna. Supported by the Italian Cultural Institute in London.
Creative team
Performers
Booking fees
£4 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
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LIFT 2020
Barbican Theatre
Location
The Barbican Theatre is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Mobility
Spaces for wheelchair users in the rear of the Stalls (four) and row B of the upper circle (four), both with companion seats. Row B is reached via a platform lift, and staff will be happy to help you. Seats in the back row of the Stalls are suitable for people with limited mobility.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the theatre – please tell us when booking, to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the cloakroom staff during the performance.
Sign language
For our occasional BSL-signed performances. Stalls seats close to the signer are reserved for people with hearing impairments. Please book early and ask for these seats.
Captioned performances
These display the full text of the play on a screen as the actors speak the words. Seats with the best view of the screen are reserved for people with hearing impairments, so please book early and ask for these seats.
Audio-described performances and amplified sound
Headsets are available from the sales kiosk outside the Stalls Right entrance to the theatre
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
