Many theater lovers enjoy watching modern-day productions of William Shakespeare’s work, while some would rather be on stage portraying the characters created by the iconic playwright. The Lost Flamingo Theatre Company is showing its spring production of “Macbeth,” which will include two productions brimming with violence, supernatural occurrences and tyrant rulers.
The shows will be on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Arts West building located on 132 W. State St. Tickets are $5 cash only at the door. Auditions were held in January, and the student performers have been tirelessly rehearsing their scenes and lines since they received their parts.
“Macbeth” is one of Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedies, and the story has been performed on stage and adapted for the screen countless times. “Macbeth” is estimated to have been written between 1606 and 1607, during the reign of King James I, according to National Theatre.
The tragedy takes place in Scotland and follows a nobleman named Macbeth, who is seen as a hero, misguided by his own ambition and greed. Macbeth receives a prophecy from three witches, promising him the throne, which drives him into a downward spiral.
Macbeth does whatever he can to make this prophecy a reality, stooping to murderous and manipulative strategies to secure the power he desires.
Casey Johnson, a junior studying biological sciences, is playing Macbeth. Johnson said he first joined LFC last year, when he was a part of “Puffs.”
Johnson describes Macbeth as a good person blinded by his own ambition, succumbing to the pressure from people around him. Johnson believes the show’s message is about what can happen when people have access to power, and how it can change them.
“Someone who is so good and fantastic and a hero can become bad when given the promise of the ambition of power, the things they've always wanted,” Johnson said. “I think it's just a piece on the evolution of people when you place them in an environment or give them goals that otherwise are not good for them.”
When Johnson saw “Macbeth” was on the show list for this spring, he knew he wanted to be involved, as he said it is one of his favorite pieces of literature. When he found out he was going to play Macbeth, he was exhilarated.
“I had a lovely English teacher who sat me down and helped us understand ('Macbeth'), and sparked my love for this show in particular,” Johnson said. “I'll be honest, I haven't read any other Shakespearean works, but because I like ‘Macbeth’ so much, I know that I would love it.”
Johnson said it is important to keep these classics alive to introduce new readers to Shakespeare and possibly spark a new passion and interest in people.
Nate Caudill, a sophomore studying geography, urban planning and sustainability, is playing Macduff, the Thane of Fife. A thane is a person who has received land from the king in exchange for their military service, according to Merriam-Webster. Caudill said he was involved in another production of "Macbeth" in high school and had the same role.
This is Caudill’s first time reprising a role, and he said he was awarded a Cappie for his first time playing as Macduff. The Cappies is a writing and awards program in the greater Cincinnati area to encourage high school students to improve as journalists and actors.
“I can build on my performance,” Caudill said. “I feel like since high school, I've just grown as an actor, and I've been able to perfect my craft maybe a little more. You know, bursting through that glass ceiling.”
Caudill said he is looking forward to act four scene three, which is when Macduff has a tense conversation with Malcolm, the heir to the throne, about Macbeth. The scene sparks the rebellion against Macbeth, and Caudill said this scene is a good portrayal of his character's “emotional investment in the future of Scotland.”
Mona Foreman, a freshman studying English literature, was also involved in a production of "Macbeth" in high school, and enjoys seeing different interpretations of the characters. Foreman is playing three characters -- one of the witches, a murderer and a doctor.
Playing three different characters, Foreman has the opportunity to show off three distinct personalities, which is enjoyable to them, as Foreman said they think of themselves as a character actor.
“I really like playing big and out there characters, which is really important for Shakespeare,” Foreman said. “It's kind of like a flip of a switch, when I have to switch into a more subtle, observant person, like the murderer, and then that also changes when I have to be a concerned individual when I'm the doctor.”
Everyday, students across the world read the many plays written by Shakespeare, keeping his stories and the historical context behind them alive. Foreman said studying and performing Shakespeare is not only important because of his legacy and work, but also because of the influence Shakespeare’s plays have on the media today.
Foreman is excited for the audience to witness the violence and drama unfold, and said the passion for the show is visible through the cast’s performance.
“It's a cautionary tale that can be said about a lot of leaders,” Foreman said. “I think that it's very easy for people when they gain power, they are greedy, and they want more and more and more, and they don't think of what they have until they've lost it.”
For those interested in seeing LFC's “Macbeth,” visit its website and Instagram page for more information regarding the show, along with its other spring productions.
