Tragedy at Livingstone School: Theatre Prospero's Macbeth

Matias Vanderplas as Ross in Macbeth
T. Lucas photos/video

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Theatre Prospero came to share the magic of the stage with students of Livingstone School during the week of November 4 - 8.  On this visit Shakespeare's powerful dark tragedy Macbeth was on the curriculum.  Set in Scotland, the play dramatizes psychological and political effects that result when murder and evil powers are used to fulfill ambitions for power.  Dark magic, arrogance, paranoia, insanity,  and death are predominant themes in the plot.

Assistant Principal Mary Krizan thanks the Prospero Theatre crew.

The students and Theatre Prospero presented the play to the public on the evening of November 8 and also offered a daytime showing on November 9.  The play was very well received by the audience.

Theatre Prospero takes Shakespearean and other classical plays to schools around the province of Alberta,  teaching the students how to mount and perform a full play.  During this process the students learn about drama, sets, stage direction, and working individually towards the support of the whole group.  Kindergarten to grade 2 students were involved in workshops throughout the week, and grades 3 - 12 performed in the play.

Kataya McClung 

The students worked hard to memorize lines and capture the feel of the tale and deliver it to the audience.   The play was well performed with fast pacing and lighting that accented the mood.  The use of shadows and lighting played well for at least one dramatic scene.  The sets were stark, but the players made the most of it working the round of the theater within the gym.   Some were new to the stage and a little shy about delivering their lines but most took to the stage with confidence of seasoned actors.  Seven Theatre Prospero members came down from Edmonton, including 6 teacher/actors and one teacher/technician.  They also performed on stage during the show, so the students were rarely left alone under the footlights struggling for a line.  This is a significant change from how I remember plays happening in schools in the past.

Prospero Residency Manager Liz Hobbs has worked with Livingstone School for all their past performances there including Romeo and Juliet, Midsummer Night's Dream and now Macbeth.  "The biggest challenge is getting the kids to understand and focus on the seriousness of the scenes.  That was somewhat of a struggle," she said.  "Teaching a 14 year old kid how to tell someone else that their entire family has been murdered,  it's tough."

Mina Wood grade 5 was the second witch.

"They did great," Hobbs said of the students.  "It's been awesome.  This is one of my favorite places to be.  We're treated exceptionally well here,"  she said of working with the school.

Mathias Vanderplas played Ross.  "It's been great," he said.  Vanderplas is in grade 9 and has worked with the troupe for all three performances they have done over the years.  "Every year I learn more, and it gets better."

Related link:  Theatre Prospero