The Witches, played by Ewan Brett, Marcus O’Sullivan and Oscar Taylor put on an intense performance. If Abi could have played another character she would “love to be a witch because they are so iconic and they have such an overwhelming presence in the play”. She conveys that “The most exciting part of playing Macbeth was exploring the absolute mental deterioration he goes through”. Abi Mansley, who played Macbeth, had the challenge of executing one of literature’s most famous tragic heroes. The reversal of gender roles in this adaptation cannot be ignored. Whether you believe in witchcraft and magic like an Early Modern audience or think the effects of psychological disorders such as shell shock lead to the character’s demise, this production left everyone questioning and wanting more.

It made each individual member of the audience not only question the brutality of war, especially in today’s climate, but dig below surface level to contemplate the cause of the ‘strange infirmity’ which riddled the Macbeths. Miss Cary’s adaptation of this Early Modern classic transported the audience into the front line and the 21 st century. The use of the already haunting Cloisters for sound effects and 360-degree staging made the performance of one of Shakespeare's most famous revenge tragedies chilling, thrilling and extremely unsettling. On Sunday 3 and Monday 4 July this year’s senior play ‘Macbeth’ was performed by a cast of outstanding senior school pupils in the Norwich Cathedral Cloisters. I am so proud of the whole cast for what they have achieved.” - Miss Cary, Director of the Senior Play 2022 It was a powerful production and one that challenged the lack of female roles in the original Shakespearean text and offered a relevant spin to the timeless story.

Set within a military camp, my adaptation focused on the obsessive and power-hungry Macbeths who would stop at nothing in their destructive rise to power. I believed now to be a fitting time for the narrative of Macbeth to be re-visited.

“With the recent political turmoil overseas. Set in a war-torn state, the Macbeths are ruthless in their fight for survival and will stop at nothing to succeed.

Co-curricular and Enrichment ActivitiesĪ cast of talented Senior School pupils performed in this year’s Cloister Play, a dark and gripping adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’.

Special Arrangements for Entrance Assessments.

Stop at Nothing by Macy Blake