It's those three weird sisters again. When the moon is big and the wind is high, they come out and stir their cauldron. Yes, is back. Shakespeare's great Scottish play will be treading the boards over the next month and Education & Living has 200 free tickets for readers - 100 each for performances in Dublin and Cork.
With David Herlihy in the lead, the production from Second Age Theatre Company, is lavish in all its gory medieval glory. An unusual feature is the presence in the cast of three (real) sisters between nine and 11 years of age as the witches.
The idea of casting children was inspired by horror films, such as The Shining, The Omen Poltergeist, which featured possessed children. "Children are possessed of a strange force," says director Jim Culleton. "We wanted to get away from the traditional bearded hags."
The gothic set by Barbara Bradshaw is filled with shadows thrown by brambles and trees. Live music by Trevor Knight adds to the spooky atmosphere.
As part of the production, an education programme sponsored by the ESB includes a student workshop after matinee performances - and a pack for each student attending the play.
The programme also features an essay competition for second-level students on Macbeth - a cautionary tale for the Celtic Tiger. The winner will get £2,500 from the ESB - and his or her school will get computer equipment. Up to 10 entries are allowed from each school. The prizes will be presented in January by actor Kenneth Branagh.
The play is running at the Tivoli in Dublin until Friday, December 4th. It opens in the Cork Opera House on Wednesday, December 8th.
