On February 12, 2022, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre hosted the opening night of its highly anticipated production of Macbeth, a chilling reimagining of the Shakespearean classic. Under the direction of Liesl Tommy, the production received rave reviews for its contemporary twist and its exploration of power, ambition, and the haunting effects of violence.
Tommy, a celebrated director known for her dynamic and innovative stage productions, infused the play with a modern sensibility, using minimalistic set design and a strong visual narrative to enhance the dark themes of the play. The performance featured an exceptional cast, led by actors Julian De La Fuente as Macbeth and Tinashe Jerae, who portrayed Lady Macbeth. Both actors brought emotional depth to their roles, making the characters’ descent into madness resonate with the audience on a profoundly human level.
The production set itself apart with its stark, minimalist set, designed by Michael Carnahan, which included dark, sweeping canvases and eerie lighting, casting shadows that seemed to constantly shift throughout the performance. This starkness in design contrasted sharply with the complexity of the story’s moral themes—power, guilt, and the ruinous effects of unchecked ambition.
Audience members were captivated by the modern elements incorporated into the performance, such as costumes and accents that suggested a contemporary world while staying true to the original text’s structure. The show’s adaptation also included a subtle commentary on political corruption and the consequences of the desire for unchecked power, echoing the play’s 17th-century exploration of monarchy, but with a palpable relevance to today’s political climate.
“I wanted to highlight how the pursuit of power can turn anyone, no matter their background or character, into something unrecognizable,” Tommy shared in an interview after the performance. “The fear of losing power, of betrayal—these are feelings we understand in our world today, and Shakespeare’s Macbeth gives us the perfect vehicle for exploring these universal themes.”
The opening night was met with a standing ovation, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s adaptation of Macbeth has been seen as a triumph not only of classical interpretation but also of the power of modern theatre to reflect and confront contemporary issues. Theatre enthusiasts and critics alike have celebrated the production for breathing new life into one of the Bard’s most well-known tragedies.
As the production continues through the month, its mix of old-world tragedy and modern stagecraft is bound to leave a lasting impression on the Bay Area’s vibrant theatre scene, proving that even centuries-old plays can be brought to new and thrilling heights when done with vision and passion.
