"Perhaps the moniker 'Extreme Macbeth' was already used, but the Polarity Ensemble's millennial version of this Shakespearean tragedy is just that--featuring martial arts, percussionists and ritual magic."
Chicago Tribune Planner, "Best Bet" for May 12, 2005
 "Ann Keen as Lady Mac ... manages to make all of those famous speeches about damned spots and screwing your courage to the sticking place sound fresh and natural, which is no small task." Kris Vire, Time Out Chicago Click here to download free Macbeth script. Click here to purchase Absolute Macbeth script. |
"The show's hippie-agitprop-shaman elements--interpretive dance, ritual song, bloody sacrifice--are its tightest, cleanest, and most effective. A promising first effort from director and company head Richard Engling."
Brian Nemtusak, Chicago Reader a slew of fine acting Brent Rivera's intense visage, volcanic, multi-textured delivery, and dynamic physicality were perfect for the doomed, dastardly tyrant unusual staging, daring interpretations, and compelling musical accompaniment make it a play well worth catching one of those small-venue shows that are the hidden treasures of Chicago's extensive theatre scene riveting! Bryan A. Bushemi, Twilight Tales: The Online Magazine |
About the Show: Three witches cast a circle of magic to the beat of drums and wafts of incense. Like ritual priestesses, they draw in Macbeth, the ambitious warrior who would be King. They flatter his vanity and encourage the evil inside him. And helping it blossom, they allow it to be purged, purifying the Kingdom. Macbeth is the clang of weaponry, temptation followed by murder, more murder, revenge and retribution.
The Polarity production takes place in ritual space, in a timeless zone where a soul acquiesces to its own destruction. This is Absolute Macbeth, Shakespeare's words to the rhythm of drums, passion, choreographed battle, and sacrificial rite. It's Macbeth done as a sacrament to purge the tyrant from our society.
Absolute Macbeth
By William Shakespeare, adapted and with additional scenes by Richard Engling
Director..................................................................Richard Engling
Assistant Director .....................................................Zack Brenner
Stage Manager...........................................................Thomas Lesh
Scenic Designer...............................................................David Orr
Costume Designer....................................................Amy E Landes
Lighting Designer..........................................................Tony Ligeza
Properties Director....................................................Wendy Mingin
Fight Choreographer................................................David Yondorf
Mask Designer...........................................................Jessica Pribble
Assistant Mask Designer................................................Glen Cullen
Master Carpenter........................................................Miguel Pelayo
Stage Carpenter..........................................................James Engling
Director of Development...........................................Charley Jordan
Graphics Designer........................................................Cathleen Ann
First Witch . ..Abigail Trabue
Second Witch . ..Patricia Austin
Third Witch .. ...Victoria Gilbert
King Duncan ... ..Peter Esposito
Malcolm .. . ....Jason LeCompte
Donalbain . . ..Timothy Tsurutani
Captain . .Mason Hill
Lennox ..Rory Leahy
Ross .... .. ..Charley Jordan
Macbeth .. . ...Brent Rivera
Banquo . ..Steven Marzolf
Fleance ...Zoλ Olivia
Lady Macbeth .. ...Ann Keen
Messenger . ...Abigail Trabue
Seyton .. .Patrica Austin
Porter . .Daniel Houle
Macduff .. ...Bobby Zaman
Old Man .. Daniel Houle
First Murderer . ...Mason Hill
Second Murderer . .Jason Wisnewski
Servant .. Colleen Tutton
Third Murderer ... Eric S. Cartier
Macduff's Son .. . Ryan Tutton
Lady Macduff .Kelly Hoogenakker
Caithness ..... ...Eric S. Cartier
Apparition I .. ..Colleen Tutton
Apparition II ... ..Zoλ Olivia
Apparition III . . Ryan Tutton
English Doctor .. .. .Colleen Tutton
Doctor . ... .Eric S. Cartier
Gentlewoman ... ..... ..Victoria Gilbert
Old Siward. . ... Daniel Houle
Young Siward .. ...Timothy Tsurutani
Click here to download free Macbeth script.
Click here to purchase Absolute Macbeth script.
ABSOLUTE MACBETH Publicity Photos
Click on photos for high resolution image files.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plot the death of King Duncan.
(Ann Keen and Brent Rivera)
Lady Macduff attacked by Macbeth's henchman.
(Kelly Hoogenakker and Mason Hill)
"Come you spirits, unsex me here..."
(Ann Keen)
"Double, double, toil and trouble..."
(Victoria Gilbert, Abigail Trabue and Patricia Austin)
Banquo struggles with Macbeth's henchman.
(Steven Marzolf and Mason Hill)
"The spirits that know all mortal consequences..."
(Victoria Gilbert, Abigail Trabue and Patricia Austin)
"Are you a man?"
(Ann Keen)
ABSOLUTE MACBETH director, Richard Engling
In an era of war and tyranny that threatens the fabric of global order and justice, we can think of no two productions more timely than Macbeth and Antigone. Please join us in bringing more vital productions like these to the stage.
What can you expect from the Polarity Ensemble Theatre?
Polarity Ensemble Theatre is a member of the League of Chicago Theatres.
To contact us, click here.
MACBETH SCRIPT! Download a free copy of the Macbeth script here. This script includes the complete text of Macbeth by William Shakespeare in PDF format.
Click here to purchase Absolute Macbeth script. Macbeth script! Macbeth script! Macbeth script!
