How do actors keep busy while stage lights are dimmed and curtains closed?

With their next play Educating Rita on hold, Lismore Theatre Company (LTC) has turned to Shakespeare and the company's actors are ready to tackle the play Macbeth. Now, they are working on an innovative 45 minute version of it.

The idea to film local actors in a rehearsed, abridged reading of Macbeth came from LTC’s artistic director Kylie Fuad and Educating Rita director David Addenbrooke.

Mr Addenbrooke said local faces will lead the cast, with Elyse Knowles (Rita) playing Lady Macbeth and Gray Wilson (Frank) playing Macbeth. They will be supported by a small group of LTC actors in this short version of Shakespeare's play. 

“The stage remains set for Educating Rita while these marvellous actors bide their time,” he said. “But there’s only so much rehearsing they can do, so the idea is to engage them in a new project to keep them fresh and involved.”

The innovative project is a collaboration with Star Court Theatre, which was hit hard by Covid-19 when it had to close for several months. This small business, run by Sarah-Jane Loxton and Sharon Rigby, is trying to stay afloat in these turbulent times for the arts. 

Sarah-Jane, a local performer herself, is keen to bring live performance back to Star Court once it is safe to do so. In the meantime Star Court Theatre has opened its space for Lismore Theatre Company for this project.

“I’ve loved being part of various performances with Lismore Theatre Company including last year’s production of The Vagina Monologues so it’s wonderful to work with the Company again- this time in our theatre space,” Sarah-Jane said.

LTC has brought several plays to the larger Star Court Theatre stage in the past. Now, in this time of the one person per four square metre rule, the cast can safely come together and create while awaiting the reopening of its Rochdale Theatre home for Educating Rita once it is safe to do so.

“With social distancing an issue, our own Rochdale Theatre stage was too small for 12 actors,” Kylie said. “So, we are delighted that Star Court Theatre agreed to let us use their stage and we will film the performance to be available on line.”

The rehearsed reading of this abridged version of Macbeth will be filmed on August 22, then released for public viewing. Audiences are encouraged to follow the Lismore Theatre Company Facebook page for updates.