National Theatre's touring Macbeth to visit Southampton Mayflower Theatre

FOLLOWING a sold-out London run, the National Theatre will visit Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre next week with Shakespeare’s intense tragedy, Macbeth.

Directed by NT artistic director Rufus Norris and designed by Rae Smith, the daring and intense new production has been created to propel Shakespeare’s classic into a post-apocalyptic world of anarchy and uncertainty.

Scottish actor Michael Nardone (BBC One’s The Night Manager) will play the title role with Kirsty Besterman joining the cast as Lady Macbeth.

Michael Nardone played Frisky in BBC One’s Emmy Award-winning series The Night Manager. His work on stage includes the Duke of Cornwall in King Lear at the National Theatre directed by Sam Mendes; and the title role in Peribanez at the Young Vic directed by Rufus Norris.

On television he has also appeared as Jonas in BBC One’s Rellik; as DCI Whiteside in BBC Scotland’s River City and as Mascius in HBO’s Rome.

The 19-strong touring ensemble also includes Joseph Brown, Elizabeth Chan, Nisa Cole, Reuben Johnson, Helen Katamba, Tom Mannion, Brad Morrison, Hauk Pattison, Evelyn Roberts, James Robinson, Patrick Robinson, Duncan Ross, Rachel Sanders, Olivia Sweeney, Deka Walmsley, Ross Waiton and Lisa Zahra.

Director Rufus Norris said: “I’m delighted that Macbeth will be touring the UK and Ireland following its run in the Olivier Theatre last year.

“We’re really excited by what is coming out of the rehearsal room and it’s particularly rewarding to be able to take this brilliant play to so many towns and cities. We fully intend to give audiences a fresh and dynamic view of this timeless classic.”

Macbeth will be at Southampton Mayflower Theatre from Tuesday 26th February to Saturday 2nd March. Tickets are £14.50 to £39.50.

For more information and tickets, visit www.mayflower.org.uk or call the box office on 02380 711811.