Teatru Manoel will be joining forces with local theatre bad boys Unifaun Theatre Productions to offer a unique and exhilarating staging of William Shakespeare's celebrated tragedy, Macbeth.

Set on an eerie, mysterious landscape surrounded by the ghosts of a man's life, this fresh approach to Shakespeare's classic play examines the psychological effects of trauma and the lengths our minds will go to conceal the wounds of the past. The play will be staged at Teatru Manoel on 15, 16, 17, 18 March, marking the first return of a Shakespeare play to the Manoel main stage in over 10 years.

Staged by maverick UK-based theatre director Clive Judd - "a top notch actors director... almost a Mike Leigh in waiting..." Matt Trueman, Whatsonstage - the production will feature a great number of established local talent in the cast, starting with Mikhail Basmadjian in the title role, Chris Dingli as Macduff and Jes Camilleri as Duncan. The role of Lady Macduff will be played by upcoming actress Erica Muscat, where she will be joined by other young and talented actors including Jonathan Dunn, Julia Camilleri, Antonella Mifsud, Antonella Axisa, Naomi Knight, Brendon Thearle and Alex Weeninck.

Unifaun producer, Adrian Buckle commented: "I am truly excited about this production. First of all we are working on one of the greatest plays of all time and also we have a fabulous cast directed by a fabulous director. These are all the ingredients you need for a special and enthralling production."

Teatru Manoel artistic director, Kenneth Zammit Tabona commented that: "The staging of a major Shakespeare play at the Manoel Theatre is part of the theatre's plan to present top notch literary plays notably Shakespearean ones which had been neglected over the past few decades with special reference to the great tragedies like Macbeth, Othello, Hamlet or King Lear." The production is being designed by Italian designer Romualdo Moretti, with sound design from award-winning UK artist Giles Thomas and lighting from acclaimed designer Chris Gatt.

"With rehearsals already underway," piped Buckle, "we are witnessing a production that will easily be marked as one of the highlights of the theatre season."

Macbeth is partially funded by the Malta Arts Council through the MAF Project Fund.

For bookings visit www.teatrumanoel.com.mt or from the Teatru Manoel box office on 2124 6389