William Shakespeare’s
MACBETH
Directed by Jasper Koch
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
A shadowy force makes an enticing promise to Macbeth, who has just returned home from war as a celebrated hero. Who could resist when opportunity beckons you to the throne? In partnership with his wife, Macbeth does his part to make the prophecy come true: The tyrannical couple shatter the order of kings with ever-increasing brutality. Who will prevail in the chaos of violence, power lust, and doubt?
Set in a mythical Scotland, the drama tells of a volatile political chaos. Taking action on the grounds of his promised destiny, Macbeth murders first for his political advancement, then to unsuccessfully alleviate an increasing paranoia. He buys “golden opinions from all sorts of people” but always fears “daggers in men’s smiles.” MACBETH’s world of defamation, mistrust, and spontaneous political improvisation provides a rich commentary on the fast-paced ruthlessness of politics and ambiguous diplomacies we are witnessing today.
Shakespeare’s classic is a horrifying story of power lust and blood, that at the same time carefully explores the gendered politics through the actions of a surprisingly modern (though somewhat twisted) couple. It engages with the psychological effects of an over-ambitious and reckless striving for power. Asking whether “Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill,” it invites questions about contemporary authoritarianism on the rise in many places of the world.
This University Players production remains true to the original text, maintaining Shakespeare’s original language with a few edits.
PREMIERE: Freitag, 19. Januar 2024
Further shows: 20.-22.01. / 24.-26.01. / 28.01. / 31.01. / 02.+03.02.
Shows start at 7.30 pm at the Audimax, Von-Melle-Park 4, 20146 Hamburg
Introduction with Prof. Ute Berns und Dr. Michel Büch: Monday, 22.1., 6:15 pm. School classes are required to register beforehand. If another date is more suitable, we can schedule an additional discussion if the class size is appropriate.
Audience discussion with the artistic team following the performance: tba. (If you’re coming with a group that is particularly interested, let us know. We might be able to schedule the date accordingly.
TICKETS
Box-Office: 15 € regular / 8 € reduced
Online preorder (available soon): 12 € regular / 6 € reduced
School classes and groups: 5 € per person. One teacher’s ticket is free, please register beforehand via Email: up@uni-hamburg.de.
„UPLAY“ IMPROV WORKSHOP
Since AS YOU WANT IT, both University Players members and audience are longing for more improv in their life. So here we go: We are kicking off the „UPlay“ drop-in improv sessions on 17 October 2023, 8-10pm, in Hörsaal ESA W 221. The workshop takes place every every first and third Tuesday of every month. You can drop in spontaneously but we appreciate a prior registration so we get an idea of how many people are interested, so please email to up@uni-hamburg.de. Thanks!
Currently, the UP Improv branch is organized by a four person committee. They plan the workshops and facilitate them on a rotational basis. The committee is open. If you’re interested in doing improv, gaining experience in improv/theater pedagogy, and developing an improv community, this is your space. It is by no means obligatory to ever go on stage with your new craft. However, we are looking forward to developing show forms and setting up low-threshold performance opportunities for those who do want to go public. Write us at up@uni-hamburg.de if you feel, this might be for you.
On that note: Tickets for the AS YOU WANT IT shows at the Motte (27th and 28th October) are already being sold. Join us for one of the nights and get to meet some of the committee, who are also part of the AS YOU WANT IT ensemble. Please by your ticket online.