"Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." - Macbeth (Act V, Scene V).
They are words that were made famous nearly 400 years ago and soon they will again be brought to life on a Yorkton stage.
A tale of witches, prophecies, soldiers and battle, Macbeth will be featured this coming October through a partnership between The Holt Gelendan Medieval Society and the Yorkton Paper Bag Players group.
"The idea for us doing MacBeth started maybe two years ago, says Terri Petersen of the Medieval Society. "As a Medieval Society we do a lot of reenactment of different time periods... so we've always had a very keen interest in Macbeth... number one it's a Shakespearean play so that's reason enough... but number two, it's written in Scotland in the 11th century."
The play perfectly fits the time period that the Medieval group enjoys exploring. It also fits the bill for local actors who enjoy a challenge. Last year the Medieval Society helped out with the Paper Bag Player summer Shakespeare in the Park production.
"We enjoyed it immensely so we had a brain wave that perhaps our two groups could come together."
And that they have done... since last March in preparation for this production.
"With their acting experience and our knowledge of history, we want to bring it to the people of Yorkton in a way that's both educational and entertaining..."
While no modern take on a Shakespearean production is ever exactly like the original, Petersen says organizers would like to model this show as closely as possible to the Shakespeare version.
"The actors, the director and the producer always add their own flavor to it... but we want to try to keep it as close to the 11th century as we can and give the audience a snap shot of what would the interior of a castle have looked like, what would a Viking or Anglosaxon person have dressed like, how would they have interacted with each other etc..."
Those involved with the local project have been researching, planning and preparing for months to ensure an authentic production. From clothing to set design, it's a challenge to bring people back in time.
"To get an accurate representation and for the audience to see what things would have really looked like, it takes plenty of research. What would a man have worn? What type of shoes? The shoes alone are an issue. At that time they had no heels... they were made solely of leather (pardon the pun), they're hand sewn and they're turned after they're sewn."
While they can't get everything exactly as it was, Petersen says a costume and a set crew are working to provide the best.
"We've been very lucky to get so many people inside the community and outside who have such extraordinary and unique talent helping out."
To date there are 20 cast members on board and about 45 crew. Excitement is growing as rehearsals have gotten underway and costumes and set are coming together.
"We have our challenges but I have to say, the energy is so high that it's very easy to overcome the obstacles."
The upcoming Macbeth production will take place at the Anne Portnuff Theatre October 29 and 30. Both shows take place at 7 p.m. On Halloween day, October 31, there will be two shows, one at 1 p.m. and one at 7 p.m.
The 29th will be a Gala Opening Night event with a wine and cheese reception and meet and greet to follow.
Petersen assures the production will be far from mundane. While she won't give away too many secrets, she says audience members shouldn't be surprised to find an actor amongst them or to find the show interactive.
Fans of the event will be happy to hear this is the first of more to come. "We have a long list of things we want to do in the future... Dracula, perhaps a musical, Phantom of the Opera, Hamlet... and then maybe some more modern things..."
Tickets for Macbeth are available at Louck's Medi-Health Pharmacy, and from marlin Travel (Walmart). To learn more or to get involved, call 306-786-7147.
