Macbeth performance at the Gala Theatre!

Elemore and Windlestone pupils came together to perform a triumphant version of Shakespeare’s Macbeth to a packed out audience at he Gala Theatre in Durham.

Pupils from both sites worked collaboratively to put on a show for the Shakespeare schools festival with 4 other mainstream schools. The performance was amazing from start to finish. The pupils hadn’t previously worked together and they showed true professionalism and resilience to put on the show on a huge stage. The day after, they also performed for a local special school – they must have been exhausted!

We aim to put on the performance at both sites in our Summer concerts. The bard would be proud of you all! Well to to all pupils and staff who were involved. It was a joy to watch- you are all a huge credit to the school. Please read the review from Actor Emily Chattle from the Shakespeare School’s festival:

“Congratulations Elemore Hall School for your fantastic reimagining of Macbeth as part of the
Spring 24 Shakespeare Schools Festival. It was a thrilling night of theatre, and I’d like to shine a
spotlight on some aspects I really loved.
I was so impressed with every single member of this company, and I could tell that you had all
worked really hard on your performance. Your opening was a testament to your professionalism
and confidence on the stage. Beginning with the witches waiting silently by the cauldron and an
epic soundtrack, you really set an eerie tone and immersed us in your world.
Each of you gave brilliantly expressive performances. You effortlessly maintained your
characters whilst onstage, and with such strong voices as well! This was shown particularly in
the scene where Duncan was found dead – you drove us through this moment with frantic
movements, big expressions, and loud voices to heighten the drama. You had us on the edge of
our seats! I loved that you acted around the lines as well, giving each other meaningful looks or
glances behind the backs of other characters. This was such an expert way of showing us the
depth of the relationships between characters, and it gave your story a rich texture beyond what
your words were telling us.
You had some epic whole ensemble moments during your production, where everyone brilliantly
embodied their role to build tension and foreboding. I particularly enjoyed your staging of Birnam
Wood moving towards Macbeth’s castle. You all worked together in unison to create an ominous
movement sequence, with branches held above your faces and a slow walk towards Macbeth.
Then when you all began marching together to “Run Boy Run”, this change of pace really
charged the stage with an energy that continued right to Macbeth’s dramatic death. You also
had great focus during the banquet scene, and gave great reactions to Macbeth seeing
Banquo’s ghost.
You were experts at landing your lines and sharing them with us in all their glory, filling the
whole theatre! This was particularly powerful when Lady Macbeth’s death was announced off
stage, with the screams and collective cry of “The Queen is dead!”. It really packed a punch!
This was a powerful, tense, and immersive production by a professional and committed cast.
We’re thrilled to have reimagined Shakespeare with you this year and have loved being with you
on your journey from classroom to stage. We can’t wait to work with Elemore Hall School again
in the next Festival!”