The 2022 Playing Shakespeare with Deutsche Bank production of Macbeth will be directed by Sarah Frankcom.
This marks Sarah’s directorial return following her tenure as Artistic Director of LAMDA. Macbeth is a full-scale, gripping, 90-minute production created specifically for young people, but is also a perfect introduction to Shakespeare for all ages and stages.
This year marks the 16th anniversary of the Playing Shakespeare with Deutsche Bank project, providing over 20,000 free tickets for students aged 11-16 in state secondary schools in London and Birmingham. Productions exclusively for schools will run from 3-30 March 2022 and public performances from 12 March-16 April 2022.
On a deserted battlefield, in the aftermath of a bloody war, three witches appear to a loyal warrior Macbeth. They tell his fortune and predict his future. This startling encounter unleashes a bloody chain of events that will see him crowned king and use any means necessary to hold on to his power, as the world collapses around him.
With thrilling action and chilling supernatural moments in Macbeth’s bloody journey from hero to tyrant, applications for free tickets for non-selective state schools in London and Birmingham, and subsidised tickets for other schools are now open.
Sarah Frankcom says: “I’m thrilled to be collaborating with such an exciting cast and creative team to reimagine Macbeth for younger audiences. As young people continue to ask big questions about their future, I can’t think of a better play to explore how personal ambition and the abuse of power can corrupt the individual and destroy nations”
Co-Director of Education, Lucy Cuthbertson says: “Macbeth represents our 16th consecutive Playing Shakespeare with Deutsche Bank production. This incredible project has given so many schools an invaluable way to bring Shakespeare alive for their students. A significant proportion of young people in this country rely entirely on their school for access to the arts. This unique financial support from Deutsche Bank allows us to offer over 20,00 free tickets to students from London & Birmingham state schools and to play our small part in enabling all students to experience a culture-rich education. Young people experiencing Shakespeare and, often, theatre for the first time deserve the best so we are absolutely delighted to welcome Sarah Frankcom as this year’s director.”
Lareena Hilton, Global Head of Brand Communications & CSR at Deutsche Bank says: “For 16 years Playing Shakespeare with Deutsche Bank has been an integral part of our global youth engagement programme Born to Be. With all GCSE students in the UK required to study at least one of Shakespeare’s texts, it’s critical for young people to be able to get to grips with the complex language, characters and themes. To come out of the classroom and be fully immersed in live theatre at the Globe offers students the opportunity to experience performances the way Shakespeare wrote his plays for.”
To coincide with this year’s performances, eligible schools will also receive free workshops for students, free CPD (continuing professional development) for teachers, and award-winning free online resources to support the teaching and studying of Shakespeare plays in the GCSE and A-Level curriculum. This year has already seen over 21,000 students receiving free tickets and over 200 teachers signing up for online and in-person CPD courses.
Playing Shakespeare is supported by Deutsche Bank as part of Born to Be – a youth engagement programme that is committed to helping young people reach their full potential.
Globe Theatre, Bankside, SE1. School Performances: 3 March – 30 March; Public Performances: 12 March-16 April.
Details and Booking: shakespearesglobe.com