Macbeth starts performances at the Stratford Festival

May 9, 2025… Robert Lepage returns to the Stratford Festival with a bold new production of Macbeth, Shakespeare’s compelling tale of unchecked ambition. Created in collaboration with Lepage’s company Ex Machina, the show features Tom McCamus in the title role and Lucy Peacock as Lady Macbeth. Performances begin on May 10.

Six years in the making, this fast-paced production will grab you with its startling opening scene and keep you in its grip through the thrilling final moments. It sees the clan loyalties and blood feuds of medieval Scotland come to vivid life in a biker gang war setting.

In this story of a ruthless warrior empowered by prophecy, Shakespeare dramatizes the consequences of psychopathic ambition with a stark clarity that continues to shock audiences centuries later.

“Macbeth is always timely,” says Lepage, “because whatever the political system or the moment in history, there is always a Macbeth somewhere – an ambitious person who transforms a society into a dictatorship.”

But it is also the story of the passionate relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. “Yes, it’s a very violent play with apparitions and witches, but it’s also a great love story,” Lepage says. “You can feel that there is a past to their relationship, and they are incredibly faithful to each other.”

Macbeth features Graham Abbey as Banquo, Tom Rooney as Macduff, with David Collins as Duncan, Aidan deSalaiz as Witch 1, Paul Dunn as Witch 2, Austin Eckert as Malcolm, Anthony Frescura-Denomme as Fleance, Michelle Giroux, Christo Graham, Josh Johnston, Matthew Kabwe as Seyton, Murderer, John Kirkpatrick, Tarique Lewis, Anthony Palermo as Witch 3, Daxton Scurr as Fleance, André Sills as Ross, Maria Vacratsis as Porter, Emilio Vieira as Lennox and Dakota Jamal Wellman as Murderer.

Lepage is joined by Creative Director Steve Blanchet, Set and Props Designer Ariane Sauvé, Costume Designer Michael Gianfrancesco, Lighting Designer Kimberly Purtell and Composer, Sound Designer John Gzowski.

Macbeth has its press opening on May 28 and runs until November 2 at the Avon Theatre. Tickets are available at stratfordfestival.ca or by calling 1.800.567.1600.

The 2025 season also features As You Like It, Annie, Sense and Sensibility, Dangerous Liaisons, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Anne of Green Gables, The Winter’s Tale, Forgiveness, Ransacking Troy and The Art of War. For more information, visit stratfordfestival.ca.

The 2025 season is generously supported by Ophelia Lazaridis.

Proud 2025 Season Partners: BMO Financial Group, Canada Life and RBC Royal Bank.

Production Underwriters: The Fabio Mascarin Foundation, Laurie J. Scott.

Production Co-Sponsors: Sylvia Soyka, Carol Stephenson, O.C., Catherine Wilkes in Memory of David.

CAST (in alphabetical order)

Graham Abbey                                    Banquo

David Collins                                      Duncan

Aidan deSalaiz                                   Witch 1

Paul Dunn                                           Witch 2

Austin Eckert                                      Malcolm

Anthony Frescura-Denomme             Fleance

Michelle Giroux                                  Understudy

Christo Graham                                  Understudy

Josh Johnston                                      Understudy

Matthew Kabwe                                  Seyton, Murder

John Kirkpatrick                                 Understudy

Tarique Lewis                                     Understudy

Tom McCamus                                   Macbeth

Anthony Palermo                                Witch 3

Lucy Peacock                                     Lady Macbeth

Tom Rooney                                       Macduff

Daxton Scurr                                       Fleance

André Sills                                          Ross

Maria Vacratsis                                   Porter

Emilio Vieira                                      Lennox

Dakota Jamal Wellman                      Murderer

ARTISTIC CREDITS

 Director, Designer                              Robert Lepage

Creative Director                                Steve Blanchet

Assistant Director                               Félix Dagenais

Set and Props Designer                       Ariane Sauvé

Costume Designer                              Michael Gianfrancesco

Lighting Designer                               Kimberly Purtell

Composer, Sound Designer                John Gzowski

Fight and Intimacy Director               Anita Nittoly

Assistant Director                               André Sills

Assistant Set Designer                        Jung A Im

Assistant Costume Designer               Lindsay Forde

Assistant Lighting Designer               Arantza Luna

Assistant Lighting Designer               Emilie Trimbee

Associate Fight Director                     David Chinchilla

Stage Manager                                    Brian Scott

Assistant Stage Manager                    Madison Kalbhenn

Assistant Stage Manager                    Melissa Rood

Production Stage Manager                 Bona Duncan

Production Assistant                           Madie Bennett

Motorcycle Consultant                       Olivier Normand

Child Performer Advocate                 Maggie Blake

Technical Director                              Eleanor Creelman

For Ex Machina:

Producer                                              Michel Bernatchez

Production Manager                           Nadia Bellefeuille

Technical Director                              Olivier Bourque