By Frederic Courtin
Community Contributor
The Dover Sherborn High School Drama Program is excited to invite the community to witness a new twist on the classic tale of ambition, guilt and fate in their upcoming production of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” Performances are in Mudge Auditorium on Friday, November 1st at 7:30 pm and Saturday, November 2nd at 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm.
Directed by DSMS math teacher, Carmel Bergeron, this adaptation of the classic tragedy aims to capture its dark atmosphere and examine the corrupting effects of unchecked ambition, with a talented cast of student actors setting it against a new backdrop of the Roaring 20s in Chicago. The story follows Macbeth, a well-respected member of Mayor Duncan's anti-crime unit, accompanied by his wife on a bloody path to power until their eventual fall. According to Bergeron, “I couldn't see us performing a Macbeth set in Scotland in the 1500s, so I chose the 1920’s with its political scandals, gangsters, speakeasy bars, as well as jazz and blues music. This alternative time and place gave us a way to be creative with our production while reimagining the play’s relationships and events. We've all had fun modernizing this classic tale.”
Although the setting is not traditional, this play is an abridgment of the actual Shakespeare language written in 2024 by playwright, Jack Shaw. “The more complex, archaic language is a little bit harder to memorize, especially since you have to get every word exactly right to fit the meter. But there are aspects of Shakespeare's language that make the lines easier, too,” said senior Miranda Savla. “First of all, you're never going to have super awkward lines because Shakespeare was a master at writing for his actors.
Additionally, most of “Macbeth” is in iambic pentameter, which is designed to be naturally easy to say and makes the technical performance elements so much easier.”The cast of sixteen students features Miranda Savla as Lady Macbeth, Rachel Martin as Macduff, Frederic Courtin as Duncan's son, Malcolm, and Jonah Brown as Macbeth. “I think Jonah is an incredible Macbeth. He always has an impressive presence on stage, which contributes to his command as the leading man. Jonah often plays the hero in shows, and I think this is what makes him such a compelling Macbeth—he's able to lock into the virtue of Macbeth at the top of the show and portray a reluctant descent into villainy,” said Miranda Savla about working with Jonah Brown.
Another seventeen DSHS students are working to put the finishing touches on the props, lights, sound effects, and scenery. Under the direction of DSMS art teacher, Jenifer Sunday, the crew is creating the 1920s version of 1500s castles and caves: Macbeth's luxury mansion, the mayor's office in city hall and ‘The Cauldron’ Speakeasy Lounge. "We were inspired by the Art Deco style of the time period and gave the speakeasy a Halloween vibe,” remarked Sunday.
Don't miss this new take on an old classic. Come see Macbeth! Tickets are available now at dsdrama.ludus.com; general admission tickets are $15. This dark tale will likely sell out during the Halloween season, so we recommend that attendees purchase their tickets before the show. However, they will be sold at the door for the same price while supplies last.
Performance Dates & Times:
- Friday, November 1st, 7:30 PM
- Saturday, November 2nd, 4:00 PM
- Saturday, November 2nd, 7:30 PM
Location: Dover-Sherborn Mudge Auditorium, 9 Junction St., Dover, MA
