The Weird Sisters are stepping out from the wings. It's their turn to take centre stage.
Shakespeare’s 'Macbeth' takes a striking new form at Brisbane’s La Boite Theatre, shifting the spotlight from the power-hungry thane to the enigmatic forces that set his fate in motion. This bold reimagining places the Weird Sisters – whose prophecies fuel Macbeth’s descent into bloodshed – at the heart of the story, revealing their deeper connection to the earth and the consequences of unchecked human ambition.
No longer mere harbingers of doom, the Witches become the pulse of a world crying out for balance, their presence woven through movement, sound, and text in a dynamic, multi-sensory performance.
As they shape and witness Macbeth’s rise and fall, they remind us that power comes at a cost, and that the natural world bears the scars of our relentless pursuit of control.
Taking on the roles for this production are Roxanne McDonald, Mel Ree, and Nicole Hoskins.
Here, 'Macbeth' Directors Courtney Stewart (La Boite Artistic Director) and Lisa Fa’alafi (Polytoxic, Hot Brown Honey) answer some questions together about the production.
This is a reimagining of ‘Macbeth’. What can you tell us about it, without giving too much away?!
This is 'Macbeth' as told by the three witches and they play all of the roles. It is a very clear re-telling of the story, and has all of the famous speeches and beautiful poetry of Shakespeare's original play. It also has some wonderful movement sequences and cultural elements included specifically for this production. This production shows that the themes and story of 'Macbeth' can transcend time and be relevant to any location and culture in the world.
What sorts of themes are tackled throughout?
Good and evil. Love and hate. Power and subservience. It questions constantly throughout what is right and wrong. To quote from our production and Shakespeare's original text, "fair is foul and foul is fair", this production will constantly have you questioning what is foul and what is fair, and where do we draw a line?
It’s a blend of a few different styles. How do they all work together to form something cohesive and dynamic?
We both worked very closely together through all stages of this production, from the initial conception and design to the final stages of rehearsals, and will continue this throughout the season. Lisa's movement sequences and wonderful designs merge seamlessly with Courtney's direction and understanding of the Shakespearian text. Kudos must also be given to Sue Rider, who managed to condense a play that was originally written for more than 20 characters to be a concise and clear story for three actors that will run at 90 minutes every night. We have all of the violence and horror of the original story, some of it is in a more stylised form than you would have seen in Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.
You’ve both co-directed the show. Talk a bit about this collaborative process and how it has been to work together.
This has been an incredible collaboration. We have both been admirers of each other's work for a very long time, and have looked for opportunities to work together. Finally we have done it. We hope this will be the beginning of some great theatre making and incredible imaginative collaborations for years to come.
More widely, what has been the biggest reward for each of you, in being a part of this show?
The show itself is shaping up to be something very special and one of the highlights of theatre in Brisbane for 2025, but the biggest reward of being a part of the show is the opportunity to work and get to know all of the amazing artists who have put their heart and talent into this production. There is a lot of love from everyone in this 'Macbeth'.
And what did you perhaps find was most challenging about bringing such a classic, historic story to 2025?
The biggest challenge has been trying to incorporate every wonderful idea and offer from every amazing artist who is working on this show. However, we have met this challenge head on, and 'Macbeth' is an absolute feast for all of the senses. This is not just a collaboration between two people. It has been a collaboration between about ten people, and all of their contributions are very evident.
‘Macbeth’ is playing at La Boite Theatre. Why is this particular stage a fitting home for the show?
La Boite is probably the most respected and well-known theatre-in-the-round venue in Australia. 'Macbeth' sits beautifully inside it. Being a very intimate theatre, it feels like the audience is the fourth character of the psychological thriller/slasher flick, and by the end of the show, you will feel like you know the story, the characters and the actors a lot better, and will hopefully (like any good horror movie) leave feeling a little unsettled.
And what are you hoping its audiences take from the work?
Too much power is not always a good thing. Don't kill people.
The production opens on International Women’s Day. What’s the significance of this in the context of the rework of ‘Macbeth’?
This is 'Macbeth' told by the three witches. It is also created by a team of Brisbane's most amazing and talented female artists. What a long way we have come from Shakespeare's time, when women were not allowed to be on the stage (all his female roles were played by men whose voices had not yet broken), to being able to present a show with an all-woman cast and creative team. I can not think of a more fitting way to celebrate International Women's Day.
Describe this version of ‘Macbeth’ using one line from the show as best you can.
Only one line? Don't be ridiculous. Shakespeare write far too much beautiful poetry to be summarised in one line, however, here are some of the great lines you will hear in the show when you come to see us.
"Full of scorpions is my mind"
"Sleep no more"
"For a charm of powerful trouble, like a hell-broth boil and bubble"
"Saw you the weird sisters?"
"By the pricking of my thumbs something wicked this way comes!"
'Macbeth' plays La Boite Theatre (Brisbane) 6-22 March.
