Macbeth performs at the Stratford Festival

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

Tom Rooney as Macduff (left) and André Sills as Ross in Macbeth. Stratford Festival 2025. Photo: David Hou.

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."

 Lucy Peacock as Lady Macbeth and Tom McCamus as Macbeth, Macbeth. Stratford Festival 2025. Photo: Ted Belton.

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 Purtelland Composer, Sound Designer John Gzowski.

Macbeth had 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