A New York drama company is to stage a performance of Macbeth in the very wood which heralded the character’s demise.
The Oxford Shakespeare Company (OSC) will present the bard’s tragedy in the shadow of the Birnam Oak, which is the centrepiece of the ancient wood.
Birnam wood was made famous by the play, which predicts “Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.”
The rightful king Malcolm has his soldiers cut branches from the trees and use them to conceal their numbers as they march toward Macbeth’s stronghold at Dunsinane, thus fulfilling the prophecy.
Under the direction of Ron Song Destro, the OSC will hold three back to back free performances on June 4, weather permitting
Ron, who is also playing King Duncan and Siward, said: “The famed Birnam Oak is said to be the sole surviving remnant of the great Birnam Wood of King Macbeth’s reign.
“There is always something very special about performing the plays of Shakespeare on the very ground where each of the characters’ true-life counterparts has trod.
“Having fought Richard III on Bosworth Field where he was slain, and Henry V on the battlefield of Agincourt – where we reverently dedicated our performance to the thousands of souls still buried under the ground – inhabiting the thousand-year old Wood of Birnam, so prominently featured in Macbeth, is going to be a unique thrill, especially since we are performing in the torch-lit woods at night.
“Summoning up ancient spirits in so special a place is sure to be a magical experience for both actors and audience alike. We always love visiting with the wonderful people of Scotland, and are especially thrilled to have this opportunity.”
The shows will be held at 6, 8 and 10 pm in front of the tree on Saturday June 4. Should it rain, the plays will be held at the same times on June 5.
Also on June 5 Ron is hosting a free Shakespeare acting class at the Birnam Arts Centre from 11am. At 2pm the will hold a talk on the question of the true Shakespeare authorship, entitled Who Really Wrote As Will Shakespeare?
To book for the free class or for the lecture, please contact Birnam Arts Centre. To attend a performance of Macbeth, simply turn up at Birnam Oak.
