With less than five weeks to go, tickets for our upcoming whole-school production of Macbeth are now available to purchase and, with just two performance nights, it’s cursed to be a sell out!  

This year, performances will be held on Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd April, both with a start time of 6.00pm. Tickets will cost £3 for students, £5 for adults and any children under the age of 10 are free of cost. Tickets can be purchased by contacting reception or Ms Tadman in-person or via email: office@oasissouthbank.org.uk / sasha.pattison-tadman@oasissouthbank.org.uk. Tickets can also be purchased on MCAS.  

With rehearsals well underway it’s bound to be a thrilling performance that you don’t want to miss, cast into life by our wonderfully talented students!  

For a sneak peak into what’s been going on behind the scenes, Ms Carson spoke with just a few of the students behind the magic! Read below for an exclusive interview with our Production Director, Bess Reynolds, Head of Backstage (Aailyah Willmott-Spencer), Lady Macbeth (Leah Hamdoun) and Macbeth (Chernoh Wurie)…  

 

Interview with the Director, Head of Backstage, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth 

Ms Carson: Why were you interested in directing Macbeth? 

Bess: “I was interested in directing Macbeth because so many students of such a vast age range were involved and, it's a play that has been interpreted in so many ways, there are multiple directions and decisions you can make. It's an open book!” 

Ms Carson: How did you prepare before starting rehearsal?  

Bess: “I went to see a production of Macbeth! I got a lot of ideas from it about the fight scene and our witches. I also watched a lot of clips from other performances and asked the actors how they wanted to act out the roles. For example, Lady Macbeth could be angry, sad, disappointed, or even comical. I’ve really enjoyed working one on one with so many amazing students and seeing how they interpret their roles.” 

Ms Carson: What’s been the biggest challenge?  

Bess: “The biggest challenge is that everybody in the cast learns at different paces. Some people want a lot of freedom to become their character, whereas others need more direction and support. I have grown as a director now and can balance a rehearsal to suit multiple styles of learning.” 

Ms Carson: What have you most enjoyed about the experience so far? 

Bess: “My favourite part is when a scene comes together perfectly, it's an amazing feeling watching your show come to life!”  

Aaliyah: “My favourite part about being head of backstage is the creative freedom. I enjoy all the creative aspects I've had control over has been quite fun despite all the challenges.” 

Ms Carson: When creating the set, has anything specifically inspired you? Where have you got your ideas and creativity from? 

Aaliyah: “Pinterest has helped with a lot of the creative aspects but most of the inspiration has come for my own creative ideas. The few pictures on google images and Pinterest I’ve used have given initial visual inspiration.”  

Ms Carson: Chernoh and Leah, which are your favourite scenes to perform and why?  

Leah: “Our favourite scene is Act 1 Scene 6 – Lady Macbeth chastises Macbeth for being weak and they have a furious argument. The scene is intense and the movement we have blocked feels very slick.” 

Ms Carson And what are you most looking forward to on the opening night? 

Chernoh: “Seeing how everything comes together and getting through the show successfully. Wearing our costumes will also be great fun!” 

Ms Carson: So far, what have been the highlights of being involved in the whole-school production? 

Chernoh: “Working with other year groups has been such a great experience. We have all become a family. Speaking with new people and experiencing new things!” 

Leah: “Seeing how people interpret their characters and seeing the decisions they make and seeing their characters develop? The creative freedom on making the sets and being allowed to do what I think is best.  It’s very enjoyable because drama is my favourite but also meeting new people.” 

Ms Carson: Why did you audition for Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, the two leading roles?  

Leah: “When I did it for GCSE I really enjoyed it. Lady Macbeth is such a powerful character and I love exploring her and playing such a great role.” 

Chernoh: “In Year 7 I was meant to take part in our Grease production but we didn’t get to do it because of Covid and so this year, I wanted to reignite that passion. I was so excited and pleased when I found out I had been given the role of Macbeth.” 

Ms Carson: For aspiring performers, do you have any tips or advice on how to get into character? 

Chernoh: “Line learning can be hard and feel overwhelming but if you break it down and do it again and again then you will find it sticks!” 

Leah: “Fully immerse yourself in the role and imagine yourself in the situation. 50% character 50% you and bring yourself into the role.” 

Ms Carson: Last but not least, if Shakespeare was here today… what would you ask him?  

Leah: “I’d ask Shakespeare whether he actually wrote all those plays or did he have some help!” 

Chernoh: “I’d like to know what he was thinking of when he wrote Hamlet?” 

Aliyah: “Interesting, I’d ask what he would write about now if he were to write another play!”  

Bess: “Whether he had a muse for his female roles… if so… who!”