Bianca Stephens plays Lady Macduff in English Touring Theatre’s production of Macbeth which will open at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from February 28 to March 29, 2025.
This contemporary reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, directed by Richard Twyman, promises to be a bold and thrilling interpretation for modern times. The show features a stellar cast including Alex Austin as Macbeth, Lois Chimimba as Lady Macbeth, and Gabriel Akuwudike as Banquo.
With previews beginning on February 28 and opening night on March 5, 2025, tickets for Macbeth at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre are available now at lyric.co.uk.
You’re appearing in Macbeth at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. What can you tell us about the show?
It’s a real force of nature as a show and the cast are brilliant. It’s full of suspicious minds, the horror of war and I think questions humanity. It’s a real reflection of the times we are in amidst wars, genocides and the divisive political climate. The world this play is in says none of us are safe and challenges us to think about the world we want to build after such terrible times.
How does this production differ from traditional interpretations of Macbeth?
We are not trying to do weird Shakespeare voices. We are trying to bring the text to us, showing people like us should have ownership of these old texts and not feel excluded. It feels really rich in knowledge and the carried experiences that the cast has to offer bring this work to life.
Can you tell us about your character, Lady Macduff, and how you are approaching the role?
I have been thinking a lot about mothers currently living in wars and genocides which is like the world that Lady Macduff is living in. Also I’ve been thinking that Lady Macduff is a representation of women in these times now being made to feel like they don’t have choices and being over looked as collateral damage. However, in saying that, she has a knowledge and strength in her that really asks the audience is this really the world you wanted to create. My favourite thing about her is her earthly quality and her deep connection to nature and what’s happening around her.
What has been the most challenging aspect of working on this production?
I think looking at the magic of people and how to bring the supernatural to life has been a challenge. As it’s something in this play the characters really believe in and to some extent are led by and finding that truth and rooted connection to it has been challenging but also exciting.
How has the collaboration been with director Richard Twyman and the rest of the cast?
Everyone has been fantastic. We really are going in deep to understand all that’s to be understood in the text and also finding ourselves in this work. There is a want to be authentic to ourselves and come to the work fresh and bring the things that make us interesting to the work also. There is such a variety of people in our team, and it really is showing how all people should have access to texts like this and speak to them in their own way.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Macbeth?
Get a ticket you know you want to!
