UFV Theatre presents Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Pictured (top to bottom): Actors Sabrina Morgan and Bren McPhee

With the highly anticipated directorial return of Emeritus Associate Professor Bruce Kirkley, UFV Theatre brings Macbeth to the stage on March 20 – 29. This will be the second production of their 2024-2025 season. In addition to its run at UFV Abbotsford’s Blackbox Theatre, it will also be performed in Chilliwack at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre’s Rotary Theatre.

Macbeth is a masterwork in tragedy by William Shakespeare, written in 1623 and presented by the UFV School of Creative Arts (SOCA) acting and production classes. Re-imagined in the dystopian future of 2054, the play follows the rise and fall of a brave general driven to murder and madness by his ambition and a prophecy. The play explores themes of power, guilt, and the corrupting influences of unchecked ambition.

The student cast features Bren Mcphee, Sabrina Morgan, Owen Muller, Harshit Sharma, Isabella Dimanno, Jash Vashi, Taya Viger, Lydia Gunnink, Chloe Loewen, Han Wood, Hazel Franklin, Tavleen Grewal, Bill Trieu, and Niya MacKay.

Bruce has directed close to 50 theatre productions throughout his career. This production of Macbeth will be his fifteenth Shakespeare play, which he has come out of retirement to direct. He selected this play specifically to complement the intimacy of UFV’s studio performance space.

“The world of Macbeth evokes an intensity and interiority. The play’s rich cast of characters, fast-paced action, and dystopian vision also provide exciting opportunities for students to explore the challenges of acting, designing and producing Shakespeare’s works,” he says. “It’s been an enormous thrill and privilege to be given the opportunity to return and work with such an amazingly dedicated, gifted group of students.”

Bruce says this story highlights the seductive power of suggestion, revealing how half-truths (or disinformation) can set people on a path toward destruction. In this production’s futuristic setting, the international world order has collapsed.

“The world has devolved into feudal states and warring clans,” Bruce explains. “While vestiges of the old technological era survive, the devastations wrought by climate change have prompted a reemergence of nature worship and a return to ancient pagan rituals, symbols and practices. Concurrently, the implosion of the world economy and the consequent dissolution of global supply chains have generated severe shortages, especially in military armaments and munitions. The sword, shield and dagger have resurged as the weaponry of war … and assassination.”

By imagining dystopian worlds, the production aims to help audiences recognize futures we don’t want to create.

The student design team includes Olivia Sommer (set designer), Ashleigh Henczel (head of props/builder), Thea Vanagteren (projection designer), Ryen Lavoie (sound designer), CJ Rafter (costume designer), Kimberley Perkins (assistant costume designer), and Jessica Blanchard (hair and makeup designer). They are supported by production crew members Sara Gray (stage manager), Marie Brideau (assistant stage manager), Starla Rorison (costume assistant/dresser), Avrey Jantz Krahn (costume assistant/weapons master), Sukhsagar Singh (sound operator/actor understudy), Aftab Randhawa (lighting operator, in partnership with The Workplace TASK Program).

Production students are mentored by UFV production class instructor and technical coordinator Jared Raschke, wardrobe manager Heather Robertson, and production manager Giuseppe Condello.

Play schedule

Opening night at UFV Abbotsford (Performance Studio, Building D, room 105)
Thursday, March 20 at 7 pm

Regular performances at UFV Abbotsford
Friday, March 21 at 7 pm
Saturday, March 22 at 2 pm

Regular performances at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre (9201 Corbould Street)
Thursday, March 27 at 7 pm
Friday, March 28 at 7 pm
Saturday, March 29 at 2 pm

Tickets can be purchased here.

Email soca@ufv.ca with inquiries, and follow the UFV School of Creative Arts (@ufvsoca) on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on future productions and events.