Wheaton presents Macbeth with a twist

Something wicked and "twisted" this way comes.

It has been seven years since Professor of Theatre David Fox directed a Shakespearean play. When he was deciding on this year's spring production he considered Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet as well as Macbeth. But once he began to see visiting artist Patrick Dougherty bring to life his dramatic "Twisted Sisters" sculpture right outside of Watson Fine Arts he knew he had to go with Macbeth.

"'Twisted Sisters' feels medieval. It feels primal," Fox noted. The perfect scene-setter for toil and trouble.

The Department of Theatre Studies and Dance will present William Shakespeare's Macbeth, under Fox's direction, on April 9, 10 and 11, 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Weber Theatre in Watson Fine Arts.

Not only does the sculpture of tangled saplings serve as the backdrop for the opening scene, it also inspired many of the design elements of the set and costumes, which were designed by Assistant Professor of Theatre Design Clinton O'Dell. He also designed the outdoor staging for the opening scene in which the audience will first encounter the witches of Macbeth and the cast of 19. Audience members then will be led in procession around the sculpture to the front of Watson and into Weber Theatre for the duration of the play.

Live music, in the form of percussion and pipes, all designed by Jay Spriggs '09, will add to the sensory experience of the tragedy.

"We have seen an unprecedented amount of collaboration since this process began back in August" said Fox, currently in his 19th year at Wheaton. "The carefully constructed ideas have been flowing from all of us--the director, cast, technical director and set/costume designer. It has been a playground of experimentation as we have discovered the unique talents of all those involved."

Fox said he wants the audience to be open and enjoy the unexpected ride. "Don't fight with whatever preconceived notions you may have about Shakespeare or Macbeth. We are staying true to the text and the script but are experimenting a bit with the 'look.'"

He offers a similar sentiment regarding the main characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. "Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have been made as human as possible in this production and not 'one-dimensional, dragon people' as has been done so often in the past. They are husband and wife and have very good reasons for why they do what they do. That is the horrifying part. 'There but for the grace of God' go us. As human beings, any one of us might have taken the same path."

Tickets are $5 general admission and $2 students/seniors, and must be reserved by calling the Watson Box Office at 508.286.3575 or emailing boxoffice@wheatoncollege.edu.